Cathay Pacific Airways has become the sixth airline to operate the world’s latest and most efficient twin engine widebody aircraft. The airline’s first A350-900 featuring the carrier’s new livery has arrived at its home base in Hong Kong. After an initial period flying on regional routes, Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 will begin long haul operations later this year. Altogether Cathay Pacific has 48 A350 XWB on order, including 22 A350-900s and 26 of the larger A350-1000s. The A350 XWB … [Read more...] about Cathay Pacific Airways becomes new operator of the A350 XWB
A350 XWB
Qatar Airways launches Adelaide service with A350 XWB
Qatar Airways has launched its fourth Australian destination with the start of its A350 service to Adelaide. The launch of the new Adelaide route is part of Qatar Airways’ expansion plans in Australia where it launched its new daily flight to Sydney in March this year and where it has been flying daily to and from Melbourne since 2009 and Perth since 2012. The new service to Adelaide will also provide 80 tonnes of cargo capacity per week in and out of the South Australia hub in the belly hold … [Read more...] about Qatar Airways launches Adelaide service with A350 XWB
China Eastern Airlines orders 20 A350 XWB
China Eastern Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 20 A350-900 aircraft, making the airline the latest customer for the aircraft. “The introduction of A350 XWB will play a very important role in promoting our operational capability, profitability and service brand on our international long haul routes and opening a new chapter in the international development of China Eastern Airlines,” said Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Airlines. China Eastern Airlines … [Read more...] about China Eastern Airlines orders 20 A350 XWB
Singapore Airlines takes delivery of first A350-900
Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB in Toulouse, France, becoming the fifth operator of the all-new widebody airliner. After an initial period flying on regional services to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta the aircraft will be deployed on long haul flights from May, starting with Amsterdam and then Dusseldorf. With 67 A350-900s on order, the aircraft type will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Most will be operated on long range … [Read more...] about Singapore Airlines takes delivery of first A350-900
Philippine Airlines selects A350 XWB for long haul fleet
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the order of six A350-900s, with another six purchase options. The news was announced today at the Singapore Airshow by Jaime J. Bautista, president & COO of Philippine Airlines and Fabrice Brégier, president & CEO of Airbus, but no delivery dates were given. The carrier will operate the aircraft on non-stop flights from Manila to the US west coast and New York, as well as on services to new … [Read more...] about Philippine Airlines selects A350 XWB for long haul fleet
Airbus begins A350-1000 final assembly
Airbus has started final assembly of the first A350-1000 on schedule at the A350 XWB Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. This A350-1000, one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden flight before the end of 2016 with deliveries beginning in in mid-2017. To ensure the smooth integration of the A350-1000 into the FAL while A350-900 production is ramping-up, Airbus has added three additional final assembly stations. For maximum flexibility, all … [Read more...] about Airbus begins A350-1000 final assembly