First Boeing 787 Dreamliner joins Biman fleet, unveiling on Sept 1

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has received the first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for its fleet.

The aircraft christened ‘Akash Beena’, fitted with the latest aviation technology, has taken the number of planes in Biman’s fleet to 15.

It will start commercial flights after inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sept 1, the state-owned airline’s Chairman Muhammad Enamul Bari has said.

The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour, according to Biman officials.

A Dreamliner costs 20 percent less fuel than other aircraft, they say.

The Dreamliner will add to the passengers’ safe journey and drive Biman’s profits, Biman Managing Director and CEO AM Mosaddique Ahmed told reporters. 

Biman signed a $2.1 billion deal to buy four 787 Dreamliner and six other aircraft with US planemaker Boeing in 2008.

After the six other aircraft, the first Dreamliner arrived on Sunday. Another is expected to arrive in November this year and the two others in September next year, Biman spokesman Shakil Meraj said.

Taking off from Penfield of Seattle in the US, ‘Akash Beena’ touched down at the Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon after a 14.5-hour nonstop travel, according to Shakil.

Biman’s Captain ‘Fazal’ and First Officer Anita Rahman along with Boeing pilots Richard M Denton and Charlie Christenson flew the plane.

A total of 14 Biman pilots received training in Singapore to fly Dreamliner.

Biman arranged maintenance training for 112 of its engineers. Cabin crew also received special training to serve the passengers on board.

Biman Chairman Enamul received the plane at the airport. It was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Besides Enamul and Mosaddique, Biman directors Mohammad Mominul Islam, Mohd Ali Ahsan, Vineet Sood, Md Mahbub Jahan Khan, Kh Sazzadur Rahim, and Ashraful Alam were present.

Enamul said the prime minister chose the name for the plane.

Biman will initially fly the Dreamliner on Dhaka-Singapore and Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur routes.

Its first flight will be from Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur on Sept 1. 

Excluding tax and other charges, the fare for an economy class flight on Dhaka-Singapore route is fixed at US $200, while the price for a ticket of the same class on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route is US $290.

The 271-seater has 24 business class seats made by STELIA, and the remaining 247 made by HEICO for economy class.

The business class seats are flat-bed ones, meaning these can be flattened 180 degrees. Light from windows can be controlled from these seats.

Empty business class seats will be auctioned among the economy class passengers mid-air.

All the seats of the Dreamliner feature LED monitors, which can be used to see nine channels including the BBC and the CNN. There will be more than 100 movies to watch on the inflight entertainment system.

Passengers will enjoy WiFi connection even when the aircraft is 43,000 feet above the surface. Additional charges will apply after a quota of 10 megabyte per 10 minutes.

A deal with 25 satellites has been struck to let the passengers make calls on roaming.

The passengers will be able to buy duty-free products like ornaments and perfume in the plane mid-air.

General Electric has manufactured the engine. Chevron nozzles have been attached to reduce the sound.

The plane with a height of 56 feet has a paperless cockpit, which will be connected to flight operations officials at Biman in Dhaka.

With readings from the aircraft, they will be able to assist the pilots from the ground if any problem occurs.

Biman has set up a server station in its office in Dhaka to connect with the Dreamliner.