First Delivery Airbus A350 Qatar Airways

On 22 December 2014 when the first A350 XWB MSN006 was delivered to launch customer Qatar Airways, widely recognised for insisting on the highest possible standards for its passengers. The airline has ordered 80 of the world’s most advanced airliners and the on-time, on-quality delivery is the culmination of eight years’ hard work from everyone involved in the A350 XWB programme.

As the delivery ceremony got started Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “This is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, we have watched this dynamic aircraft grow to be truly ahead of the curve and I am delighted to welcome the latest generation into our rapidly expanding fleet. Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector by offering our passengers the opportunity to travel onboard the most modern of airliners in the sky.”

“We wanted to fly the first prototype before Paris airshow 2013 and we did it,” Fabrice Brégier told guests. “We wanted to certify this aircraft in the third quarter of 2014, meaning the shortest certification process in aircraft history, and we did it. We wanted to deliver this aircraft a couple of months later and we did it. So I am very proud of the teams led by Didier Evrard and all teams in the functions who supported them. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading world class airline.”

“We are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus on the A350 XWB, using the latest technology to deliver new standards in customer service,” added Eric Schulz, President, Civil Large Engines at Rolls-Royce, the exclusive engine manufacturer. He described the occasion as, “a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce.”

As the speeches ended, the guests were invited to an artistic performance that reflected the close relationship between the Middle-East based launch customer and the manufacturer headquartered in South West France. The beautiful soprano voice of Hiba Al Kawas, a pioneer of Arabic opera, floated over music provided by the Orchestre National du Capitole, Toulouse, as calligraphy artist Faouzia Hilmy illustrated a verse of ninth century Arabic poetry on the theme of friendship.

Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350 delivery

Vietnam Airlines has become the second airline in the world to operate the all-new A350 XWB, following a special ceremony in Toulouse today. The A350-900 aircraft was delivered to global lessor AerCap on lease to the airline for operation on long haul routes and is scheduled to arrive in Hanoi tomorrow. Altogether, Vietnam Airlines is set to acquire 14 A350 XWBs, including 10 ordered from Airbus and four from lessors.

Vietnam Airlines will inaugurate commercial service with the A350 XWB later this week, initially on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh domestic sector and then on non-stop flights from Hanoi to Paris. The aircraft is configured with a premium three class layout, with 29 seats that convert to full flat beds in Business Class, 45 seats in Premium Economy and 231 in Economy. In addition to more personal space in all classes, the aircraft features the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems throughout.

Vietnam Airlines’ new A350 XWB will join an existing Airbus fleet of 59 aircraft flying with the carrier, comprising 49 A321s and 10 A330s.

“The arrival of the A350 XWB marks the start of a major upgrade of our long haul fleet,” said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, Executive Vice President, Commercial, Vietnam Airlines. “Combining the latest technologies, a wider cabin and the highest levels of comfort, the A350 XWB will enable us to fly our passengers in style whichever class of travel they choose. We are proud to be the second airline in the world to receive the A350 XWB aircraft which is a step forward that helps us to fulfil our commitment to “reach further”.”

“AerCap is pleased to be the first leasing company to take delivery of the A350 XWB directly from Airbus,” said Philip Scruggs, President & Chief Commercial Officer, AerCap. “We believe that the A350 XWB is an excellent addition to the Airbus family of aircraft. It incorporates the latest technology in both airframe and engines and will deliver important operating efficiencies to our airline customers.  We are pleased to be leasing our first A350 XWB to Vietnam Airlines, which is one of the most vibrant airlines in Asia.”

“We are proud to see Vietnam Airlines become the second airline in the world to operate the A350 XWB,” said Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO, Airbus. “We are confident that the all-new A350 XWB will enable Vietnam Airlines to consolidate its position as one of Asia’s leading international carriers, bringing its passengers the best the industry has to offer.”

“We also thank AerCap for its ongoing confidence in our products and endorsement of their long term investment value,” added Mr Brégier. “The delivery of the A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines marks a new milestone in our excellent partnership with AerCap, together offering a wide range of modern and cost-efficient fleet solutions for airlines in every market segment.”

AerCap is Airbus’ largest customer, and has ordered a cumulative total of 945 Airbus aircraft over the years. These include firm orders for a total of 20 A350 XWBs.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre 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.

Finnair First A350 delivery

7 October 2015.
Finnair has taken delivery in Toulouse of the first of 19 A350 XWBs on order, thus becoming the first European operator and the third worldwide of the all-new airliner. The aircraft is configured in a premium three-class layout, with 297 seats, comprising 46 Business Class, 43 Economy Comfort and 208 Economy.

Finnair will commence commercial services with the A350 XWB later this week, with a European tour starting at Amsterdam and Oslo on October 9th. Furthermore, on the 21st of November 2015, non-stop long-haul A350 XWB flights will start from Helsinki to Shanghai. The aircraft will join the airline’s all-Airbus fleet of 45 aircraft in operation, today comprising 30 A320 Family aircraft and 15 A330/A340s.

"Finnair has enjoyed a long and prosperous working relationship with Airbus and the A350 takes our cooperation to another level. This aircraft is the future of flying and will give our passengers a completely new and enhanced travel experience," says Finnair CEO, Pekka Vauramo.

"At Airbus, we're proud and delighted to see Finnair, one of the world’s longest-standing and most respected airlines, become the first European carrier to fly the A350 XWB,”  said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “The A350 XWB's unrivalled fuel efficiency and passenger comfort make it the perfect aircraft to spearhead Finnair's Asian expansion.‎" 

Eric Schulz, President - Civil Large Engines, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are very proud to be with Finnair and Airbus today to mark another chapter in the A350 XWB story. The Trent XWB exemplifies how we take the best in technology to deliver new standards of excellence. Today marks the start of a new era in our relationship with Finnair and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

The world’s latest generation airliner, the A350 XWB, is the newest member of Airbus’ modern, comfortable & efficient wide-body product family. Offering customers a game-changing reduction in fuel-burn, the long-range A350 XWB features the most modern aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these cutting-edge technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. For passengers, it brings new levels of in-flight comfort, with an extra-wide cabin offering more personal space in all classes, including 18 inch wide seats as standard in economy class.