Airbus Updates No.2362

SAS Scandinavian takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900

Copenhagen, Denmark - First Airbus A350-900 named 'Ingegerd Viking' has joined the SAS Scandinavian's fleet.

The aircraft with registration SE-RSA (MSN358) is powered by Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB engines and configured to accommodate up to 300 passengers, including 40 in the Business Class and 32 in Premium Economy.

The widebody jet comes with the new corporate livery of the Nordic carrier. SAS presented its new livery to the public in September.

The airline has seven more A350-900 on order waiting to be delivered. The aircraft is the first new-generation long-haul aircraft to join the Scandinavian carrier's fleet.

SAS currently operates nine Airbus A330-300 and seven Airbus A340-300 on its long-haul routes.

Transatlantic routes on narrowbody jets

The operator has recently announced that it was planning to launch transatlantic flights with its upcoming three Airbus A321LR (LR for long-range) narrowbody jets.

The carrier expects to receive its first A321LR jet next year in September. That aircraft will be deployed on routes between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Scandinavian Airlines, usually known as SAS, is the flag carrier of Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. SAS is an abbreviation of the company's full name, Scandinavian Airlines System or legally Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark-Norway-Sweden.

The airline is headquartered in Solna, Sweden. Its main hub is at Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport, with connections to 109 destinations across the globe.

Airbus Updates No.2279

Air France takes delivery of first A350-900

Air France Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

30.09.2019 - 16:30 UTC

Air France (AF, Paris CDG) has taken delivery of its first A350-900 with F-HTYA (msn 331) having been positioned from Toulouse Blagnac to Paris CDG on Friday, September 27.

An airline statement said the widebody jet would make its commercial debut from Monday, October 7, 2019, onwards with flights from Paris CDG to the following destinations:

• Abidjan (Ivory) starts October 7;
• Bamako (Mali) starts October 7;
• Toronto Pearson (Canada) starts October 27;
• Cairo Int'l (Egypt) starts December 9;
• Seoul Incheon (South Korea) starts December 9;
• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (Thailand) starts Summer 2020.

The Air France-KLM subsidiary has a total of twenty-eight A350-900s on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) deliveries of which are due to be completed by 2025. They will feature a total of 324 seats including 34 full-flat business, 24 premium economy and 266 economy class seats.

Airbus Updates No.2005

China Eastern Airlines takes maiden A350-900

China Eastern Airlines Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

30.11.2018 - 14:09 UTC

China Eastern Airlines (MU, Shanghai Hongqiao) took delivery of its maiden A350-900 B-304D (msn 248) on November 29, 2018, the first out of twenty such aircraft ordered by the airline.

The aircraft was repositioned on a ferry flight directly from Toulouse Blagnac to Shanghai Hongqiao, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

The first commercial flight of the type is scheduled for December 4 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing Capital. Subsequently, China Eastern Airlines will deploy the type to Guangzhou and Chengdu domestically. The international debut to European, Australian, and Northern American destinations is set to take place in January 2019,

The aircraft is equipped with 288 seats, including 40 in Business Class (including four "premium business class seats"), 32 in Premium Economy, and 216 in Economy Class.

China Eastern's Airbus fleet also includes thirty A330-200s, twenty-two A330-300s, thirty-five A319-100s, 180 A320-200s, seventy-seven A321-200s, and fifteen A320-200neo. The airline also operates thirty-seven B737-700s, 102 B737-800s, three B737-8s, twenty B777-300(ER)s, and a single B787-9.

Airbus Updates No.1896

Philippine Airlines adds maiden A350-900

Philippine Airlines Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

15 hours ago

Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) has taken delivery of its first A350-900 with RP-C3501 (msn 221) having been ferried from Toulouse Blagnac to Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l on Saturday, July 14.

“Today’s delivery is an important step in the modernisation of our fleet," Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said. "This A350-900 aircraft will not only allow us to operate our direct Manila to New York JFK route all year round, but it will also service our other long-haul destinations, helping us compete in the increasingly competitive Asia-Pacific market.”

The aircraft is leased from SMBC Aviation Capital and is the first of six to deliver direct from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac).

Airbus Updates No.1884

STARLUX AIRLINES ORDERS AIRBUS A350XWB AIRCRAFTs

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has selected the all-new A350 XWB for its future long haul fleet, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of 17 aircraft, comprising 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK by Chang Kuo-wei, founder and Chairman of STARLUX Airlines and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The news follows a decision by the airline earlier this year also to select Airbus for its regional single aisle fleet, with a plan to finalise leases for 10 A321neo aircraft from third party lessors by the end of the year.

STARLUX Airlines is a new full-service airline based in Taipei and founded by Taiwanese aviation veteran Chang Kuo-wei, former Chairman of EVA Air. The carrier will develop a network spanning destinations across Asia and long haul services to North America. The carrier will launch regional operations in early 2020, followed by long haul services early in 2022.

The A350 XWB is an all new family of mid-size wide-body long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel, featuring the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.

The Airspace cabin which, on top of the aircraft spaciousness and quietness, provides better ambience, design and services, contributing to superior levels of comfort and well-being, and setting new standards in terms of flight experience for passengers in all classes.

Airbus Updates No.1784

Turkish Airlines orders 25 Airbus A350 and adds 1 A330F

Illustration of Turkish Airlines Boeing 787-9© Boeing

13 hours ago

Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Atatürk) has outlined the delivery timetable for its purchase of both Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) widebody aircraft.

In a filing to the Istanbul stock exchange, the carrier reaffirmed a Memorandum of Understanding, signed with Airbus in January of this year, for twenty-five firm with five optioned A350-900s.

However, it has rejigged its Boeing order from the previously announced twenty firm and twenty optioned B787-9s to now include twenty-five firm and five optioned aircraft of the type.

Of the total 60 widebody aircraft to be acquired, six will be delivered in 2019, 14 in 2020, 10 in 2021, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2023, and seven in the year 2024. 

In addition, Turkish Airlines has also confirmed it has acquired one A330-200(F) from DVB Bank SE to cover its freight capacity needs for 2018 and beyond. The aircraft is understood to be JY-AIH (msn 1164) that was originally destined for Royal Jordanian (RJ, Amman Queen Alia) but not taken up.

Airbus Updates No.1658

HONG KONG AIRLINES TAKES DELIVERY OF ITS FIRST AIRBUS A350-900

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Hong Kong Airlines Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A350-900

September 01

09:332017

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 by María Corina Roldan 0 Comments

MIAMI – Hong Kong Airlines received an A350-900 leased from AerCap, Airbus announced today. The aircraft is the first of four that will be delivered also on a long term lease.

Zhang Kui, Co-Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines showed his excitement with the delivery of the new aircraft:

We are excited to have the first A350 joining our modern and young fleet, which marks an important milestone in our transformation from a regional airline to an international carrier. This latest generation of long range aircraft will help boost our long haul route network and further strengthen our role as a home carrier of Hong Kong – the world’s aviation hub.

In addition to the superior operating efficiency provided with the new A350, our passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort and well-being including wider seats that offer a high level of comfort expected for long-haul travel, an all-new inflight entertainment experience and inflight connectivity. I believe our passengers will be thrilled with such exceptional experience

With the delivery, Hong Kong Airlines becomes the 15th airline to operate the twin aisle airliner. Their second A350-900 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in November 2017.

Hong Kong Airlines configured all their A350-900 with a Premium three-class layout including a total of 334 seats, comprising 33 in Business Class, convertible to lie-flat beds, 108 in Economy Comfort and 193 in Economy Class.

The A350-900 features the airline’s cabin products, including an entertainment system and full in-flight connectivity. The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage, and wings, fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. It also has 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions and lower maintenance costs.

AerCap President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said:

AerCap is proud to deliver the first of four new A350 aircraft to Hong Kong Airlines. The aircraft will form the main pillar of Hong Kong Airlines’ growth plans into the next decade, enabling the airline to provide a level of service and fly to markets that were not possible prior to today. We wish our friends and partners at Hong Kong Airlines every success as they continue to grow their business.

After an initial period flying on regional routes, the carrier’s A350-900 will begin long-haul operations on December 18, 2017, flying on the new Hong Kong Airlines’ nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The inaugural flight to Los Angeles will mark a milestone since is the first time an Airbus A350 lands at LAX. Only American Airlines and Cathay Pacific currently fly nonstop between LAX and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Airlines will offer a four-time a week flight on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Beginning January 16, 2018, the carrier will upgrade frequency with daily flights.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 848 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers. With 287 firm orders for the A350 from carriers in Asia-Pacific, the region represents over a third of total sales for the type to date.