"Triple-Seven'' service between Bermuda and London Gatwick on February 3.

And both local and international travellers are set to benefit from the introduction of the world's newest and most technologically advanced long-range jet liner to the cross-Atlantic run.

The Boeing 777 features improved comfort and service in all its classes which passengers are raving about. Furthermore, behind-the-scene technology and improvements over other BA aircraft have airline staff cheering as well.

Boeing executive Richard Albrecht has said: "We expect great things from this product, and we're convinced it will be the market leader for many years to come.'' BA's Bermuda manager Phillip Troake said: "The plan is to have the new planes come on the route on February 3.

"This is on track and I would be surprised if it did not come off. We are about two months away from the introduction of the 777 so it would have to be a major problem to stop it from happening now.

"If there was going to be any delay I would have heard about it by now,'' he said.

"Passenger feedback about the new plane has been nothing but praise,'' continued Mr. Troake.

BA purser Linda Holgate agreed.

She told The Royal Gazette : "The passengers seem to love the new aircraft.

Many of them have commented on how nice it is and how much they enjoy flying on it.

"Some of our regular passengers come up to the ticket counter and check to make sure the Triple Seven is on the route before they get on board.'' No section of the plane has been overlooked with World Traveller, Club World and First Class all boasting improvements.

The interior of the jet was designed to provide a lighter, brighter and more spacious look than on other aircraft along with greater comfort.

Ms Holgate said: "The overall affect is that each passenger feels like they are at home.'' The in-flight entertainment system features individual television screens for every seat on the plane, with personal video players for those in First Class and a choice of up to eight channels for Club World passengers.

Passengers will find the newly designed overhead compartments offer increased storage capacity throughout the plane while not reducing overhead seat clearance.

World Traveller passengers will find they have more leg room and better seats in their compartments. They will also find a choice of meals on their menu.

The plane will be able to carry 199 passengers in this compartment in a three-three-three configuration that replaces the former unpopular two-five-two configuration.

Meanwhile Club World on the Triple Seven will see travellers enjoying the 56 specially designed "cradle seats'' which offer more comfort.

Their menu offers a wide range of choices including specialities such as grilled loin of lamb with mint pesto served with broad beans and rosemary roasted potatoes.

An additional dining treat offered to Club World passengers is that they can "raid the larder'' at any time during their flight. The Club World galley is stocked with snacks and drinks that these passengers can help themselves to at any time.

First Class on the Triple Seven offers an all new flying experience for travellers.

Besides the personal television screens, a menu with choices ranging from char-grilled king prawns to Thai style lobster curry and a broad wine list, this compartment is also the home of the award-winning sleeper beds.

The traditionally two by two configuration has been replaced by 14 of these beds that are practically private chains.

Passengers can use a touch sensitive panel in the arm rest of their seat to convert the "flying-bed'' into an arm chair with a seat for visitors.

The transformation means passengers can use their seat as an office or mini-meeting room, an entertainment centre, a dining room for two or a bedroom complete with a flat, six-and-a-half foot long bed with the push of a button.

A fibre optic light mounted on a flexible stem gives each passenger complete control to read, work or sleep without disturbing the other passengers.

And passengers will find it much easier to sleep on the world's largest and quietest twin jet.

The 777 is powered by a pair of General Electric 90 Series B engines that provide the 209-foot craft with a cruising speed of more than 550 miles-per-hour while ensuring that the aeroplane complies to the strictest low-noise criteria.

The planes can carry up to 269 passengers with some 40,000 pounds of cargo and have a range of 5,422 miles while delivering better fuel consumption per seat.

This will help bring down operating costs that will result in lower airfares for the customer.

Mr. Troake said he would also be pushing for an overall review of BA's pricing of the Bermuda market, particularly in the World Traveller section.

He said he would like to see the Bermuda flight eventually become fully competitive with the North American flights to the UK offered by American and Virgin Airlines.

But it is not just the passenger who is benefiting from BA's campaign to become the world's favourite airline.

The company has used the ideas of its staff to implement a user friendly service area from the cockpit through to the aft galley.

This computerised cabin management system assists cabin crews with many tasks and will allow the airline to offer new services to passengers over time.

The computerisation extends to the flight deck giving the pilots more comfort as well.

Cabin Service Director Paul Bishop added that the flight crews found work on board the Triple Seven far more pleasant because the aeroplane was designed with their jobs in mind.

Ms Holgate added: "It is so nice to work on a new aircraft where everything is so convenient. It is also nice to see the passengers enjoying themselves so much more.'' Thirteen 777s are in service and five more planes are due to be delivered. BA also has the option to purchase 17 more if it wishes. The planes are presently being used on routes between Heathrow, and the US, Canada and Middle East.

They are part of a $6 billion project BA kicked off on June 10 of this year called "New British Airways for the New millennium'' that also includes the addition of other aircraft to its fleet and staff development and training.

BA chief executive Bob Ayling said: "In today's increasingly competitive environment, we've recognised that to be the undisputed leader in world travel, we have to look constantly for new and innovative ways to make British Airways your airline of first choice.'' For Bermuda this means an end to its three-a-week DC-10 service, said Mr.

Troake.

This DC-10 had caused BA a number of problems on the Gatwick to Bermuda route, particularly with its shortage of Club World seating which corporate travellers prefer.

"We are always full with corporate business travellers on the DC-10s,'' noted Mr. Troake.

This has meant that BA has been unable to service the twin pillar of Bermuda's economy international business well.

"We have not been able to service the section well. We have been sold out in Club World weeks and months in advance. I think that will change now and we will be able to service them much, much better.

International businessmen have called for increased Club World seating and BA has responded with the new 777 that offers an increase from 35 Club World seats in the DC-10 to 56.

This increase also lends itself to attracting the vacation traveller from Europe.

These passengers are known to have higher disposable income which suits them to Bermuda's tourist market and a preference for travelling in premium cabins and BA will target them in a bid to fill seats.

BA has also added a fourth flight each week with the result an immediate 66 per cent increase in capacity.

"Bringing the Triple Seven to Bermuda has long been our goal and represents a significant investment by the airline,'' said Mr. Troake. Just to be the first destination to get the Triple Seven out of Gatwick shows the airline's faith in the route, he added. "It's a prestige thing. It proves that Bermuda is an important market for us and that it gets the recognition it deserves as major business market.'' The job of BA and Bermuda's Department of Tourism is to fill the planes now, said Mr. Troake, who added that he expected the two agencies to work closely together.

"We hope to see a good increase from the UK and Europe next year as well as from Bermuda to the UK. Perhaps Bermudians who have not traditionally thought of going to Great Britain for a holiday will do so now because of the new aircraft,'' he continued.

British Airways' director for the Americas, Peter Spencer, noted while he was on the Island in October that BA would intend to fill the extra seats by being more competitive in terms of attracting traffic between Bermuda and London that was flying through the U.S.

BA will also pursue group business in its bid to fill seats. Tying in with the introduction of the 777 will be the completion of a new $750,000 departure lounge at the Bermuda International Airport for BA passengers.