The Qantas Group today celebrated Qantas' 91st birthday by officially welcoming the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Sydney on its first visit to Australia.

With 50 Dreamliners on firm order, the Group is one of leading customers for the B787 and the aircraft is vital to growth and fleet renewal for both Qantas and Jetstar. Jetstar will receive the first of the Group's B787s in mid-2013.

The Group's Dreamliner order comprises 15 B787-8s for Jetstar's international operations, making Jetstar the first low-cost carrier to operate the Dreamliner and allowing the transfer of Airbus A330s to Qantas, and 35 B787-9s to support international growth for both Qantas and Jetstar.

Qantas and Jetstar B787s will be powered by GE's highly fuel-efficient GEnx engines.

A test B787 is on display for Qantas Group employees and special guests at Sydney Airport today alongside an historic Boeing 707 in Qantas livery (owned by John Travolta), a Boeing 737-800 with new Boeing Sky Interior and a Boeing 747-400. Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the Dreamliner represented the next generation of aircraft technology.

"The B787 is a game-changer," Mr Joyce said. "It offers greater fuel-efficiency, lower operating costs and a better customer experience than current aircraft of similar size.

"It has the flexibility to serve both the low-fare and premium markets, across Qantas and Jetstar.

"Its operational and commercial advantages make it the right fit for the Qantas Group's strategy to serve global gateways, target growth regions and invest capital productively.

"The launch of the B787 marks the next phase in the long and successful partnership between Qantas and Boeing."

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the Dreamliner would give Jetstar a competitive edge and help keep fares low.

"Innovation has been critical to Jetstar's success and a modern fleet is key to our goal of being the best low-cost carrier in the world," Mr Buchanan said.

"The Dreamliner is a revolutionary aircraft that will deliver a new standard of comfort for our passengers and put downward pressure on the two biggest operational costs for airlines, maintenance and fuel."

The B787 will visit Melbourne tomorrow on the second leg of its Australian tour.

Contributed by Qantas Airways Limited