Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) welcomed its first scheduled Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service Aug.1, a British Airways’ upgraded daily nonstop from London Heathrow Airport. The 787-8 accommodates 214 passengers in a three-class configuration—Club World (business class-35 seats), World Traveller Plus (premium economy-25 seats) and World Traveller (economy-154 seats). ATW online editor Linda Blachly was onsite for the inaugural flight.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) signed a wet-lease agreement with SriLankan Airlines for three A330s, PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand confirmed to ATW.

Passenger Experience-July 28, 2016

Lufthansa Technik has launched a laser-based system to aid installation in VIP aircraft cabins.

Carlsbad, California-based broadband services company ViaSat was awarded a contract to provide internet and connectivity services to Air Force One and other senior US government aircraft, the company announced July 25.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has added Dusseldorf to its German cities served. The 3X-weekly route will be flown with new Airbus A350-900s.

European aviation regulator EASA has warned that operators could be exceeding lithium battery limits in their portable inflight entertainment systems, or by storing too many backup batteries for cockpit portable electronic devices (PEDs).

Virgin Australia plans to install internet on its aircraft, following closely behind Qantas.