Virgin Atlantic is ordering 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options on ordering another eight 787-9s and purchase rights on a further 20 aircraft.
Virgin will take delivery of its new aircraft from 2011 following the order, worth up to $8 billion.
The Dreamliner burns around 27% less fuel per passenger than the A340-300, the aircraft it will replace in the Virgin fleet.
It can carry up to 290 passengers, depending on the bed or seat layout, and will substantially reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.
The noise footprint of the 787-9 is also 60% lower than the A340-300.
Chairman Sir Richard Branson said: “Virgin Atlantic is totally focused on delivering a cleaner airline in the air and on the ground, and our order today will significantly cut carbon emissions per 787 Dreamliner flight.
“The 787 Dreamliner symbolizes the environmentally-kinder aircraft of the future – cleaner, quieter, lighter and truly the best experience in the air.”
As part of its drive for greater fuel efficiency, Virgin Atlantic is to hold a joint biofuel demonstration in 2008, using a Boeing 747-400, in conjunction with Boeing, Virgin Fuels and engine maker GE Aviation.
Further details will be announced later this year.
Boeing and Virgin are also working in partnership to cut aircraft emissions on the ground.
Trials of towing Virgin planes to so-called “starting-grids”, which have taken place at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and at San Francisco, have produced significant positive results which will be used to find alternatives to traditional taxi-ing procedures at the world’s busiest airports.
By Bev Fearis
