By Michael Garko, In Airline News
Chicago-O’hare International Airport is officially on the list of U.S. airports that will receive Boeing 787 Dreamliner service. LOT Polish Airlines CEO Marcin Pirog announced that his airline will use its first Dreamliner on its Warsaw-Chicago route according to the Chicago Tribune.
Photo courtesy of LOT
In a Chicago press briefing, Pirog stated that the airplane swap is expected to be completed in January 2013. Currently, the airline uses a Boeing 767-300 on its seven weekly flights. LOT will increase that number to nine weekly flights in June.
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LOT’s Dreamliner delieveries are running four years behind schedule due to production delays at Boeing. LOT will be the first European carrier to fly the 787 Dreamliner. So far, only All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines are the only carriers to receive any Boeing 787s.
According to LOT, Chicago has the world’s largest Polish population outside of Poland. “Chicago is our biggest market, not only in the U.S. but worldwide,” said Pirog.
The airline reportedly flew 160,000 passengers between Chicago and its Warsaw base in 2011.
O’hare becomes the sixth U.S. destination to be announced to receive 787 Dreamliner service. The other cities that have been announced to date include Boston, Houston (Bush), San Diego, San Jose, and Seattle.
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