Passengers take off on first commercial Gold Coast-Tokyo flight on massive Dreamliner 787

PASSENGERS have taken off on the first commercial Gold Coast-Tokyo flight on the massive Dreamliner 787 aircraft.

Passengers excited about JetstarÕs inaugural 787 dreamliner service to Tokyo-Narita. Picture Glenn Hampson

PASSENGERS have taken off on the first commercial Gold Coast-Tokyo flight on the massive Dreamliner 787 aircraft.

Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer David Collins, Jetstar CEO David Hall and Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey were on hand to farewell the mammoth plane on its inaugural flight at 10.30am.

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Flight JQ 11 took off from the Gold Coast bound for Tokyo Narita Airport with more than 250

passengers on-board.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said the takeoff marked a special day for the airline and the city.

“We know that many of our customers plan their holidays so they can travel on the 787 and we expect the aircraft will provide a further enticement for Japanese visitors to experience the Gold Coast’s many attractions,” she said.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary of flying, it is a delight that we continue to innovate and create history by being the first scheduled operator of this game changing aircraft from the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer David Collins said the Dreamliner route showed the airline’s confidence in the Coast.

“The 787 commitment from Jetstar is a real boost for the region and signifies their belief that the

future of international tourism on the Gold Coast is looking bright.” he said.

Jetstar’s Boeing 787s carry 335 passengers and features a 21 seat business class cabin and 314

seats in economy with in-flight entertainment available in every seat.

The flagship airliner replaces the Airbus A330s on the route.

Jetstar currently has four 787s in service with seven more to come before the end of 2015.

The Dreamliner’s first commercial flight for Jetstar was on its Melbourne-Coolangatta service in November last year. The aircraft was moved to the Phuket-Melbourne route in February.