London new destination for China Southern's 787 planes

The flight frequency has since been increased to the current five times a week, operating daily, except on Mondays and Wednesdays. During peak periods the frequency will be increased to seven flights a week.

The new 787 aircraft can carry 228 passengers, compared with 218 passengers on the A330 aircraft. The flights take about 12 hours each way.

Hu said that one unique feature of the new aircraft is a window shade, which can be adjusted by passengers to suit their personal needs. Moisture levels inside the cabin can also be adjusted more easily than in other planes, which will make the flights more comfortable.

"In addition, as the aircraft is new, it uses a lot of materials made in a sustainable way, which is a concept we highly support," Hu said.

"The aircraft is easy to pilot and is very safe. It also has been equipped with good hardware, for example, and very good quality on its sound devices," he said.

The airline's other European destinations include Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Paris, France. The next international route that China Southern plans to operate using the 787 aircraft will be between Guangzhou and Auckland, New Zealand.