Finnair became the first European airline and the third in world to operate the new generation Airbus A350 XWB airliner, following a fo...
Finnair became the first European airline and the third in world to operate the new generation Airbus A350 XWB airliner, following a formal aircraft handover ceremony at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France today.
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 19 of the type on order, as a part of its strategy to double Asian traffic by 2020. Three more aircraft are expected to join its fleet in 2015, with another seven being delivered in 2016 and 2017. The complete order will be fulfilled by 2023.
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.
Exclusively powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines which are key to its 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, the long-range A350 XWB features the most modern aerodynamic design and carbon fibre fuselage and wings.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.
To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 783 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 41 customers worldwide.
Qatar and Vietnam airlines are the other operators.
