Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes off from Glasgow

A REVOLUTIONARY passenger plane took off from Glasgow airport this morning after it was delayed for several weeks when aviation regulators grounded the global fleet.

Captain Stuart Gruber and First Officer Daniel McGookin prepare for takeoff. Picture: Andy Buchanan

Glasgow is the only Scottish airport chosen by Thomson Airways to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will take holidaymakers on weekly flights to Cancun in Mexico, and Sanford in Florida.

However, the Dreamliner introduction was delayed by two months after all 50 of the aircraft in service with eight airlines across the world were grounded in January after fires caused by battery faults forced an emergency landing in Japan. They were allowed to fly again in April.

And today, the plane made its maiden flight from Glasgow to Mexico - six years to the day after the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was first unveiled to the public - taking off around 9:40am with a maximum capacity of 291 passengers on board.

Amanda McMillan, Chris Browne, Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Andy Buchanan

The Dreamliners can fly at heights of up to 38,000ft.

Boeing claimed that a combination of lighter materials and brand new Rolls Royce engines would enable the aircraft to be 60 per cent quieter, and around 20 per cent more fuel efficient.

Read more on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

• Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes first Scottish appearance

• Safety fears over battery leak ground all 50 of world’s Boeing Dreamliner aircraft

• Uncertainty for Scots over Thomson Dreamliner plan