Twitter users to name Britain's first 787 Dreamliner

Thomson Airways is asking Twitter users to come up with a name for one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The airline has set up the hashtag #nameourplane, which it has painting on to the side of one of its existing 737 aircraft, to encourage suggestions.

The competition is to mark the arrival of the Dreamliner in Britain. Thomson will become the first British airline to operate the plane from May next year.

Twitter users should tweet their suggested name, along with their reasons for choosing it, in no more than 140 characters. Those who spot the 737 with the hashtag should attach a picture of it to their tweet, and "original" pictures will be given special consideration in the competition. However, caution should be taken at some airports – British plane-spotters in Greece and India have arresting in the past for photographing aircraft.

The winning nomination will be chosen by a panel of judges, including Thomson managing director Chris Browne, and Captain Stuart Gruber, the airline's head of training and 787 test pilot. The user who chooses the winning name will also be given a free flight on board the aircraft.

"The arrival of the 787 Dreamliner will be an exciting time for Thomson Airways and our customers," said Ms Browne. "It was only fitting to name one of these revolutionary aircraft in an equally innovative way."

The aircraft, which has been described as the world's most environmentally-friendly, will be used on Thomson's routes from Manchester, Gatwick, Glasgow and East Midlands. A total of 13 787s have been ordered by the airline, while British Airways has ordered 24, and Virgin Atlantic 16.

Qatar Airways will become the first carrier to use the Dreamliner on a commercial route to the UK in August – it will be used on one of its five weekly flights between Heathrow and Doha.

- The Telegraph, London