SEATTLE, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and TUI Group, one of the world’s largest integrated leisure travel companies, have finalized an order for one 787-9 Dreamliner with an option for one further 787-9. The order is valued at $257 million at current list prices. TUI Group also announced that it will substitute two unfilled orders for 787-8s for two 787-9s.

The European leisure group will operate a fleet of 13 787-8s from this summer and with today’s announcement will add three 787-9s to its fleet within the next three years.

“Adding the 787-9 to our order book enables TUI Group’s airlines to continue to develop its long-haul network, giving access to new and exciting leisure destinations for our customers,” said Henrik Homann, TUI Group’s Managing Director Aviation. “The Dreamliner has proved very popular with our passengers and we want to ensure that every passenger starts their holiday in the best possible way with an exceptional flying experience.”

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 830 kilometers (450 nautical miles) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

“This new and revised order is testament to the value that the Dreamliner family offers in meeting TUI Group’s operational and environmental goals, while at the same time providing an unrivalled on-board experience for its passengers,” said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

There are six airlines in the TUI Group operating 144 medium and long-haul aircraft, including the 787. The airlines are TUIfly, Thomson, TUIfly Nordic, Jetairfly, Corsair and ArkeFly, serving more than 180 destinations around the world. Throughout its history, Boeing has delivered more than 165 airplanes to TUI Group airlines. As well as the orders for 787s, TUI Group also has ordered 60 737 MAXs.

TUI Group, an industry leader in sustainable travel, collaborates with Boeing to reduce commercial aviation’s environmental impact. In addition to TUI Group’s selection of the efficient 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX, TUI Group is a partner on the Boeing ecoDemonstrator 757, which is currently testing new technologies to reduce airplane carbon emissions and noise.

Boeing press release