Friday, 5 June 2026

Airbus Updates No.4665

 

Airbus confirms Azul as undisclosed buyer of four additional A330neos

Airbus has confirmed Brazil’s Azul Linhas AĆ©reas as the previously undisclosed buyer of four additional A330-900s, or A330neos.

On June 1, 2026, Airbus said that news of the expanded order brings the airline’s backlog of A330neo to 11 aircraft.

Azul initially placed a firm order for three Airbus A330neos in November 2022 and then in December 2023 increased this by another four to seven A330-900s in total.

At the time Azul’s CFO, Alexandre Malfitani, said: “We are proud to announce this order, as it confirms Azul as the airline with the most fuel- efficient fleet in the region, with over 80% of our capacity coming from next-generation aircraft. With the five A330neos we currently operate and the seven we now have on order, we will standardize our international fleet, allowing us to further enhance Azul’s renowned customer experience and on-time performance.”

Azul Airbus A330neo
Azul / GuiMilhas

On May 29, 2026, Azul took delivery of its first A330neo directly ordered from Airbus. The aircraft, registered as PR-ANU, flew from Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS), and arrived at Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves Airport (CNF) around 10 hours later.

In a statement Azul said the A330neo had been named ‘The Sky of Brazil is Blue’ and was the first of 11 to join the fleet – the first acknowledgement that the airline had increased its order.

“The first unit starts operating in June, the second arrives in the second half of 2026, and the others arrive gradually in the coming years, following our growth with responsibility and vision of the future,” a spokesperson for Azul said.

Azul’s A330neos are configured with 298 seats and will be used on long haul flights, connecting Brazil to Europe, the United States and other international destinations.

In 2019, Azul received the Americas’ first A330neo which allowed them to leverage commonality with their existing A330ceo fleet.

Earlier this year, Azul emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after completing a court-supervised restructuring that reduced its debt and lease obligations by approximately $2.5 billion and brought in $850 million in new equity investment.

Airbus Updates No.4664

 

United Airlines Takes Delivery Of Its First Airbus A321XLR

United Airlines has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the airline’s fleet and route network.

The aircraft was handed over at Airbus’ Hamburg facility in Germany before beginning its journey to the United States. It is the first of 50 A321XLRs on order for the airline and represents one of the most significant fleet developments in United’s long-term growth strategy.

The arrival of the aircraft comes after several delivery delays that pushed the programme beyond United’s original expectations. However, with the first example now delivered, aviation enthusiasts can finally look forward to seeing the type enter commercial service in United colours later this year.

The Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) is the latest and longest-range member of the A320neo family. With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700km), it allows airlines to operate routes that were previously the domain of larger widebody aircraft.

For airlines such as United, the aircraft offers the ability to serve so-called “long thin” routes — destinations that don’t generate enough demand to justify a Boeing 787 or other widebody aircraft but can be profitably served by a smaller narrowbody jet.

The aircraft has already entered service with several airlines worldwide, but United is expected to become one of the most prominent operators of the type thanks to its substantial order book.

Unlike many narrowbody aircraft, United’s A321XLR has been configured for long-haul operations and features a highly premium-heavy cabin.

The aircraft seats just 150 passengers and includes:

  • 20 United Polaris business class suites
  • 12 Premium Plus premium economy seats
  • 118 economy seats

Among the highlights are fully lie-flat Polaris suites with privacy doors, large entertainment screens, Bluetooth connectivity and upgraded premium cabins. Economy passengers will also benefit from modern interiors and a self-service snack bar located at the rear of the aircraft.

The relatively low seat count reflects United’s intention to use the aircraft on longer international sectors rather than dense domestic routes.

United has not yet revealed a complete route map for the type, but the airline has repeatedly indicated that the A321XLR will be used primarily on transatlantic services and routes to smaller European destinations that cannot support larger aircraft. South American routes are also expected to feature prominently.

The aircraft’s impressive range opens up numerous possibilities from United’s hubs, particularly Newark and Washington Dulles. Aviation observers have speculated that destinations in secondary European markets, North Africa and parts of South America could become viable candidates.

Airbus Updates No.4663

 

World's longest-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR takes to the skies

Toulouse, France, 2 June 2026 - The A350-1000ULR (MSN 707), the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three hours 43 minutes reaching an altitude of slightly above 41,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew.

The A350-1000ULR is being developed for Qantas Airways to enable non-stop flights between Sydney and New York and London for the first time ever - a distance of almost 10,000 nautical miles, with flight times of up to 22 hours. This is made possible primarily by the integration into the aircraft structure of an additional rear centre tank (RCT), enhancing further the aircraft performance and increasing the range of the aircraft by 1,000 nautical miles.

During the first flight the crew carried out general aircraft performance checks and tested the new fuel system architecture. This marks the start of a two month flight test campaign to certify the modifications. In addition, a new galley air cooling system will also be certified, which features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units for very long flights. The ventilation and temperature control of the cabin will also be thoroughly tested.

Following the flight test campaign, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas’ commercial specifications.

The second A350-1000ULR to be produced for Qantas and the first scheduled to be delivered to the airline in April 2027, is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and ready to roll out of the paint shop in the coming days. This will be followed by completion of the premium four class cabin layout and engine installation. 

The A350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger variant of the best-selling A350 Family, joining the A350-900, A350-900ULR and the A350-1000. Together, the aircraft have set new standards in long haul air travel, with a step-change reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and new levels of passenger comfort. 

The passenger line-up will soon be joined by the all-new A350F freighter, also currently under development at Airbus, with first flight planned later this year.

At the end of April 2026, the A350 Family had won 1,579 orders from 68 customers, with over 700 aircraft flying with 41 operators, primarily on long haul services across the globe.

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs under Project Sunrise, designed to overcome one of the last frontiers in non-stop travel from Australia. In addition the carrier also has 12 standard A350-1000s on order for future operation across its long haul network.

Note to editors:

The aircraft was flown by Experimental Test Pilots Thomas Wilhelm and Anthony Flynn, together with Test Flight Engineer Laurent Rossignol. In addition, Lead Flight Test Engineers Tuan Do and Alexia Plumet were onboard, as well as Ground Test Engineer Vincent Frayssinet.

Airbus Updates No.4662

 

Airbus A350 -941 60  B-18922 China Airlines delivery 02jun26 CAN-ICN-TPE, regd D-AADF, all white ex B-301D
 Airbus A350 -941 779  A6-EXV Emirates delivery 03jun26 TLS-DXB ex F-WZFD
 Airbus Canada A220 -300 55437  N340DU Delta Air Lines delivery 03jun26 BFM-MSP ex C-GPCA

Airbus Updates No.4661

 

Airbus A321 -111 521  F-GMZC Air France ferried 02jun26 LDE-ENS, for part-out & scrap ex D-AVZW
 Airbus A321 -231 2234  HC- AeroRegional delivery 26may26 OPF-UIO, N-reg ex N321AV
 Airbus A321 -231 2653  OE-ILT BBAM Freighter Lease regd 03jun26 at PRG prior P2F-conversion ex LY-NVH
 Airbus A321 -211 4461  LY-BVJ Aero Capital Solutions ferried 06jun26 CDT-ISL ex 9H-SLC
 Airbus A321 -271NY 12581  N64321 United Airlines delivery 03jun26 XFW-TPA ex D-AZWM
 Airbus A321 -271NY 12799  C-GXAN Air Canada delivery 03jun26 XFW-YQG ex D-AZXZ
 Airbus A321 /271NX 12843  N14560 United Airlines delivery 01jun26 BM-TPA ex F/WZLY
 Airbus A321 -251NX 12967  HZ-ASAQ Saudi Arabian Airlines delivery 30may26 XFW-JED ex D-AYAJ
 Airbus A321 -271NX 12975  N14567 United Airlines delivery 28may26 BFM-TPA ex F-WZKW
 Airbus A321 -271NX 13014  XA-VXY Viva Aerobus delivery 30may26 BFM-MTY ex F-WZKA
 Airbus A321 -251NX/LR 13084  VH-OLU Jetstar Airways delivery 30may-01jun26 TLS-IST-MCT-KUL-MEL ex F-WWSB
 Airbus A321 -271NX 13198  SX-NAV Aegean Airlines delivery 05jun26 XFW-ATH ex D-AVXI
 Airbus A321 -271NX 13225  N678FR Frontier Airlines delivery 29may26 BFM-TPA ex F-WZKV
 Airbus A321 -251NX 13270  VT-NOD IndiGo Airlines delivery 02jun26 XFW-JED-DEL ex D-AVXZ
 Airbus A330 -343 662  HS-XTA Thai AirAsia X ferried 30may26 DMK-CDT o return to lessor ex 9M-XXL
 Airbus A330 -243 906  EC-ORP Wamos Air delivery 23/29may26 HAK-MAD-LETL, OE-regd by AerCap at MAD ex OE-IGO
 Airbus A330 -243 1011  PR-AHD Azul Linhas AĆ©reas ferried 03-05jun26 MZJ-FAI-CAN, N-reg prior delivery ex N279AY
 Airbus A330 -343 1099  PK-MKU Mukhtara Air regd 25may26 prior delivery ex HAK ex 2-BLNR
 Airbus A330 -941 1861  7T-VLB Air AlgĆ©rie delivery 01jun26 LDE-ALG, FIFA Workdcuo cs ex F-WTBR
 Airbus A350 -941 60  B-18922 China Airlines delivery 02jun26 CAN-ICN-TPE, regd D-AADF, all white ex B-301D

Airbus Updates No.4660

 

Airbus A319 -132 2335  YU-APD Air Serbia ferried 01jun26 bEG-MME, for part/out & scrarp ex EI-LIR
 Airbus A319 -133CJ 2421  VP-BSA Las Vegas Sands delivery 04jun26 BSL-BGR-DAL ex HB-JJJ
 Airbus A319 -153N 12466  B-32KK Xizang Airlines delivery 31may26 TSN-CTU ex B-007M
 Airbus A320 -213 3297  N320FR Advantage Asset Sweden ferried 05jun26 DGX-EMA for paint into? ex LY-BQS
 Airbus A320 -232 3947  9H-SWB Avion Express Malta ferried 04jun26 RJKDGX for onward storage ex HA-LPW
 Airbus A320 -232 4246  OE-ILW Cleodell Limited regd 01jun26 at PRG ex 9H-MLR
 Airbus A320 -232 4670  2-YAYQ ICBC Financial Leasing ferried 03jun26 AMM-SKD on delivery to? ex JY-AYQ
 Airbus A320 -232 4879  N770XT Bank of Utah ferried 03-04jun26 ASP-CNS-TRW-HNL ex VH-X3P
 Airbus A320 -232 5598  JA11JJ Jetstar Japan re-delivery 04jun26 feb26 LFBF-CAI ex VH-YXV
 Airbus A320 -214 6127  PK-TLO TransNusa Air delivery 01jun26 SZB-CGK ex B-1862
 Airbus A320 -271N 8382  ES-MBK Marabu Airlines delivery 02jun26 SNN-NUE after paint ex VP-CUQ
 Airbus A320 -251N 12110  EI-SCI SAS Connect first in svc 30may26 ARN-CDG-ARN after ztansfer ex SE-RZD
 Airbus A320 -271N 12957  B-32Q3 Sichuan Airlines delivery 29-30may26 TLS-SKD-CTU ex F-WWII
 Airbus A320 -251N 12964  VQ-CCO Castlelake feried 29may-01jun26 SAL-SBD-HNL-GUM-CGK ex N909AV
 Airbus A320 -251N 13104  B-32RA Spring Airlines delivery 04-05jun27 TLS-NQZ-PVG ex F-WWBD
 Airbus A320 -251N 13154  B-32RK Colorful Guizhou Airlines delivery 01-02jun26 TLS-SKD-KWE ex F-WWID
 Airbus A320 -271N 13231  PS-LHO Latam Airlines Brasil delivery 31may26 TLS-FOR-QQSC ex F-WWDR
 Airbus A320 -251N 13240  B-32S5 Spring Airlines delivery 01-02jun26 TLS-NQZ-PVG ex F-WWIR
 Airbus A320 -252N 13255  F-HXIA Transavia France delivery 03-04juna26 TSN-ALA_ORY ex B-005B
 Airbus A320 -251N 13273  B-32S6 Spring Airlines delivery 03-04jun26 TLS-NQZ-PVG ex F-WWBJ

credit: Skyliner Aviation News

Total Pageviews

Airbus Updates No.4665

  Airbus confirms Azul as undisclosed buyer of four additional A330neos Airbus has confirmed Brazil’s Azul Linhas AĆ©reas as the previously u...

Airbus Blogs

Blog Archive

Top 10 Award

Airbus Blogs

Labels