Daily, First Class Dreamliner service lands at YVR

China Southern Airlines Kicks off #CZselfie Sweepstakes to Introduce Boeing 787

RICHMOND, BC, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - The next chapter of China Southern Airlines' (CZ) success story at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) began today with the arrival of its Boeing 787 - the first Dreamliner to operate daily service to YVR and the only one in Canada to offer passengers an exclusive First Class experience. 

"The introduction of the Dreamliner to CZ's daily YVR-Guangzhou route is a testament to the growing business traffic between British Columbia, Canada and China and validates our strategy to build YVR as a global gateway to the Asia Pacific," said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "CZ's service connects British Columbia's people, products and businesses with important trade and travel opportunities in China's most populous province, Guangdong."

Since its first service to YVR in 2011, CZ has continued to grow its operations at YVR, boosting initial service from three flights per week to daily service in less than two years.

"Since China Southern Airlines introduced the Guangzhou-Vancouver service, we have been expanding our presence at YVR with more flights on this important route," said Wangeng Tan, President and CEO, China Southern Airlines. "Our B787 Dreamliner service provides an even better experience for our business travellers and indicates our confidence in YVR's growing aviation market."

A highlight of CZ's new Dreamliner service is its luxurious First Class experience, made available to just four passengers who will  enjoy cocoon seats, each 69 centimetres wide, with a built-in 17-inch TV screen and the ability to convert into a fully-flat bed just shy of two metres long. This exclusive experience complements the 24 Business Class and 200 Economy Class seats configured on CZ's revolutionary Dreamliner. 

"Transportation ties are the foundation of all great cultural and economic relationships, and Canada's relationship with China is becoming stronger every day," said The Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, Government of Canada. "As the first gateway into Canada from China, Vancouver's harbours and airports serve as Canada's welcome centre, and I am thrilled to welcome the inaugural arrival of China Southern's Boeing 787 Dreamliner to YVR."

Added The Honourable Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism, Government of British Columbia: "I commend China Southern Airlines on bringing the first daily Dreamliner service to British Columbia. British Columbia is Canada's Pacific Gateway and China Southern Airlines' non-stop flights to Guangzhou have given Asian companies and business travellers from around the world a stronger connection to B.C."

PICTURE YOUR SELFIE

To celebrate the introduction of its Dreamliner to YVR, CZ is kicking off a "Picture Your Selfie" sweepstakes, which will award one lucky winner with two, round-trip First Class tickets from YVR to Guangzhou. On five dates between February 19 and 27, CZ pop-up check-in counters will be located at five secret locations throughout Vancouver and Richmond. Clues about the locations will be released on radio and TV. 

To enter the sweepstakes, contestants must take a selfie photo at one of these check-in counter locations and submit the photo to @yvrairport via Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #CZselfie. Photos may also be emailed to [email protected].

• Using a random draw, finalists will be selected at the close of each contest day, and the Grand Prize winner will be chosen from that pool of finalists. Additional contest information is available online at http://www.yvr.ca/czselfie.

About Vancouver Airport Authority

Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 17.97 million passengers in 2013. Fifty-three airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 109 non-stop destinations worldwide. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2013 donated more than $700,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

Also available:

• High-resolution b-roll of aircraft landing and welcome water arch
• High-resolution b-roll of interior of aircraft
• High-resolution photos
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner Fact Sheet
• Media Release Translated to Simplified Chinese

SOURCE: Vancouver Airport Authority

YVR Media Relations
604.880.9815
[email protected]
@yvrairport