The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the UR-GOA registration number. Boeing 777-200ER aircraft accommodates 361 passengers in three-class seating configuration, i.e. Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class. UIA expects to operate the UR-GOA aircraft on its long-haul routes to New York, Beijing, and Bangkok.
Leased from the world’s leading lessor AerCap, the aircraft is equipped with Panasonic Corporation individual IFE system. Every seat is equipped with personal screen with a vast content menu, including feature movies, music, and computer games. To promote Ukraine’s cinematograph, passengers of Boeing 777 will be offered a variety of Ukrainian movies. The content is available in four languages, i.e. Ukrainian, English, Chinese, and Russian.
Moreover, passengers will be able to track the aircraft in real-time mode by using the interactive touch-sensitive 3D-map with 3D globe image, 100 city guides, including 20 cities of Ukraine, Kids map – Animals App, and other information.
USB-units and electrical power sockets are installed in all cabins with Wi-Fi connectivity available during the flight.
The aircraft is equipped with Bruce Aerospace Sky Interior modern lighting system which is customized so that the lighting regime changes according to natural environment. The latter helps create a special atmosphere and add extra comfort to the passengers’ long-haul trips.
“The arrival of Boeing 777 redefines the UIA service, – noted Evgeniya Satska, UIA Communications Director. – We expect that our brand new aviation product will be highly appealing to both travelers from Ukraine and transit passengers. The latter empowers us to keep boosting transit traffic at Kiev Boryspil International Airport and developing our country’s transit potential.”
Arrival of the UR-GOA aircraft is the initial stage of the UIA long-haul fleet development. Three more fully reconfigured Boeing 777 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Q1 – Q3 2018. Prior to reconfiguration, the aircraft will undergo heavy maintenance checks including tests and checks of all systems, key components, and units. The maintenance and reconfiguration will be performed by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Amsterdam.
UIA operates 43 aircraft including 27 medium haul Boeing 737 NG aircraft. Currently, UIA fleet’s average age amounts to 11.9 years.