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It is that time of the year again: The 2015 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport is here

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The International Paris Air Show returns. 106 years old and 50 shows on, number 51 is here and it promises to be another great show.

For those who don’t know, the Paris Air Show is a bi-annual event, with the Farnborough Air Show filling in the gap year, in which aircraft manufacturers from around the world, both civil and military, showcase their latest and greatest models to potential buyers and the viewing public; that is the ones that can afford to go. But don’t worry, if you can’t attend, World Airline News will be giving you day to day coverage of the new aircraft orders that are due to come in next week.

Here is a preview of what is to come.

We’ll start with the “home team”. Airbus comes to the show with a line up of commercial aircraft. With its A319, A320, A380 and A350-900 XWB all being on the static display, the Toulouse-based manufacturer will also fly its long-haul aircraft, surprisingly all in the grey and burgundy livery of Qatar Airways (below).

Above Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Qatar Airways Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) is seen at Frankfurt, its first destination from Doha.

The A319 and A320 aircraft are not part of Airbus’ official roster, with both showcasing Qatar’s all business class cabin and the A320 displaying the Doha-based airline’s newly upgraded cabins including its 180-degree lie flat-beds, new 15.4 inch smart monitors and touch-screen remote control handsets as well as power, USB ports and connectivity for smart devices in Business Class.

Last time around, Airbus secured $68.7 billion worth of business for a total of 466 aircraft, which shows the resilience of the commercial aviation industry. The deals comprise Memorandum of Understanding agreements (MOUs) for 225 aircraft worth $29.4 billion and firm purchase orders for 241 aircraft worth $39.3 billion. The previous time around, the A350 was a brand new airliner and only made a cameo visit, flying briefly over Le Bourget Airport as a treat to the public. This time it’s goes into next week with three of new type in service with Qatar Airways and others soon to be delivered to Vietnam Airlines, Finnair and TAM respectively.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckhPK6aAvCA&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: Airbus. Before the show, Airbus is featuring the first Airbus A330 delivery to Tunisair. More videos are expected next week.

For the A380, it may be “make or break” time. With orders for the Super Jumbo slowing down (none in the past year) and also with the delaying and deferring of delivery dates by some customers, Airbus will be hoping to attract new orders for their double-decker giant or more from their established customers. Airbus is reported to be looking at a revamp of the aircraft towards the end of this year. Could an A380neo or sharklet equipped variant be in the cards for next week? Seems a bit desperate in my opinion. The aircraft isn’t 10 years old yet. It took the rest of Airbus’ in service aircraft 27 years (A320) and 24 years (A330 – expected neo introduction) to introduce a major upgrade to its DNA. Either the A380 takes off again or it doesn’t (pun intended).

Airbus will also be looking to get some firm orders for it’s newest project, the A330neo. Since being launched at the Farnborough Air Show last year the new wide-body only has seven customers in Avolon, AirAsia X, Delta Air Lines, CIT Group, ALC, Hawaiian Airlines and TransAsia Airways. Other guaranteed orders will be for the Airbus’ A320 and A320neo types, with the latter due to have its first delivery by October of this year with Qatar Airways.

Above Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner VN-A861 (msn 35151) arrives back at Paine Field near Everett, Washington in Vietnam Airlines colors after a test flight.

The other side of the aviation coin, U.S. manufacturer Boeing comes to the show with three of it’s aircraft: The Boeing 777-300 ER (in China Airlines livery) and both variants of the 787 Dreamliner. The 787-9 makes it’s Paris debut in the colors of Vietnam Airlines (above), with the aircraft set to join the carrier soon after it leaves the show.

Photo Above: Boeing. Boeing 777-36N ER N5017Q (msn 43980) lands at Le Bourget Airport today. It will eventually become B-18002 for China Airlines.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYbM-3E11Qo&w=560&h=315%5D

As previously reported, the aircraft manufacturer released this stunning practice video (above).

The other two aircraft will be in the livery of China Airlines and guess whose colors the other is wearing? If you didn’t guess Qatar Airways, you need to keep up with the latest trends. Qatar Airways is really stealing the show this time around.

Boeing recently released figures predicting a demand for 38,050 new airplanes over the next 20 years, an increase of 3.5 percent from last year’s forecast. As we previously reported, Boeing released its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) on June 11, estimating the total value of those new airplanes at $5.6 trillion.

Do the manufacturers stack up potential orders and MOUs prior to the show to release them during the show? The “numbers game” is important to the manufacturers.

Last time around in Paris, Boeing fell to second place with firm and provisional orders for 442 aircraft valued at more than $66 billion, narrowly behind Airbus. That was the year Boeing launched the 787-10 and 777X projects and will be hoping to rack up huge orders for their new long-haulers; with the stretched Dreamliner only having seven customers in ALC, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, International Airlines Group/British Airways, Etihad Airways, ANA-All Nippon Airways and GECAS.

Image above: Boeing. Qatar Airways also has placed an order for the new 777X.

The 777X is doing just as well with only six customers in Lufthansa, Etihad, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and ANA.

Boeing’s narrow-bodies are another miss for the show but you can guarantee an order for the 737NG and 737 MAX will be flying in (again, pun intended) and most likely carrying Boeing’s orders.

Another big miss for the show is the Boeing 747-8. The type is in the same situation as the A380, with orders slowing down and production most likely set to slow down once more from the current 1.5 aircraft per month. It’s quite surprising the manufacturer isn’t trying to advertise their “Sky Queen” to the best of their ability.

The eye catchers of the show are, without a doubt, Bombardier. Trying to steal Qatar Airways’ thunder by bringing along their CRJ1000 variant for the third show running, the Q400 NextGen and both of it’s CSeries family: the CS100 and the CS300, are both making their Farnborough debuts and are being included in the flying display.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y9_7VQ603Q&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: Bombardier. The first CS100 in Swiss livery heads to Paris.

The first delivery of the CSeries Family will be to Swiss International Air Lines. The first copy is due to happen next year, and the CS100 will pay a visit to Zurich shortly after the show as a sample of what’s to come for the Lufthansa subsidiary. The CS300 will also visit Bombardier’s Belfast facility on June 19 where Bombardier’s employees and partners eagerly await the arrival of the first CS300 aircraft. It will mark the first time the CSeries aircraft and its Belfast-produced wing will fly on site. Last time around, Le Bourget Airport wasn’t a happy hunting ground for the Canadians, with the CSeries failing to capture a single aircraft order, the CRJ only capturing one order from Arik Air, and the Q400 only securing orders from Alaska Airlines (Horizon Air) and Arik Air. Bombardier will hope for a major improvement and for this year to be more like Farnborough of last year, where a total of 74 orders were captured.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt8zVYXCxu4&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: The Bombardier CS300 ferries to Le Bourget Airport.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqE2HnZYhI4&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: The Q400 in Falcon Aviation livery heads to Paris.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUWMpAWf4Ko&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: The CRJ manufacturing at the Montreal Mirabel plant.

The rest of the major players: ATR, Embraer and Sukhoi, will display one aircraft each. With the Brazilians displaying their ERJ 135, the French-Italians showing off their ATR 72-600 in the colors of Air New Zealand Link, and the Russians exhibiting the Superjet 100 in the colors of Interjet, marking the second anniversary of the first aircraft being delivered to the airline.

For ATR it’s more of the same, marketing their ATR 42 and 72 products. Le Bourget 2013 went down as the best show in ATR’s history, with the turboprop manufacturer announcing orders for 173 planes, including 83 firm orders, with the total value of the contracts exceeding $4.1billion; creating a new record for them. Unless they’re planning a shock reveal of the ATR 42/72-700/800/900, it will be business as usual.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkQd2cpV47E&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: The building of Lion Group’s 50th ATR 72-600.

For Embraer they will hope 2015 is just as good for them as Paris 2013 was. Two years ago, the E-Jets E2 was officially launched and they were the standout performers of the show, taking Day 1 by storm with the E2 dominating the orders when they announced the sale of over 300 customers, with the majority belonging to SkyWest Airlines and ILFC, and the rest going to unnamed customers around the world. For them, it is a case of gaining more orders for the E2 and maybe current generation of E-Jets.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuFoDUZHyZI&w=560&h=315%5D

Video above: Embraer. Embraer E2 – The Power of 2.

Sukhoi displayed this Superjet 100 at the Paris Air Show. Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss.

Sukhoi displayed this Superjet 100 at the previous Paris Air Show. Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss.

For Sukhoi, it’s the same situation. 2013 only got the SuperJet one order from Ilyushin Finance, with two of those aircraft going to VLM at some point next year. They will hope to go one better than the big zero they got last year at Farnborough.

The non-flying aircraft of the show: the Irkut MC-21 and the COMAC C919, may bring in a few orders at the show but only time will tell.

The Financial Times told us not to expect much from this year’s aviation event; but don’t let that deter you from keeping up to date on proceedings at Le Bourget Airport. We’ll be watching in anticipation and ready to update you on anything and everything. Nous vous verrons la semaine prochaine.

Assistant Editor Oliver Wilcock reporting from Manchester.

Video below: Boeing. Boeing is celebrating its historic relationship with the United Kingdom prior to the show:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QcERl-QFcw&w=560&h=315%5D

Qatar Airways announces Philadelphia will be the first Airbus A350-900 USA destination

Qatar Airways (Doha) has announced that Philadelphia will be the first destination it will fly to in the USA using the new Airbus A350-900.

Qatar Airways plans to begin operating an A350-900 on its daily service from Doha’s Hamad International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport from January 1, 2016. The date will coincide with the launch of services to Los Angeles, one of three new Qatar Airways destinations in the US for 2016.

Starting on March 1, 2016 and March 16, 2016, the A350-900 will also fly on one daily flight to New York (JFK) and also to Boston; meaning three of Qatar Airways’ US destinations will all be served by the A350-900.

The introduction of the state-of-the-art A350 on the daily flights between Doha and Philadelphia brings an additional capacity of more than 9% compared to the Boeing 777-200 LR which is being operated on the route. Qatar Airways’ daily capacity to Philadelphia will grow from 259 seats on the Boeing 777-200 LR to 283 seats on the A350-900 aircraft.

Qatar Airways’ A350-900s feature 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80” inch fully flat horizontal beds, and a 247 seating capacity in Economy Class in a 3-3-3 layout.

All seats in Business Class have direct aisle access with 17” HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class features 10.6” in-flight entertainment screens and more space for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.

Qatar Airways now operates 47 passenger flights a week between the United States and Doha – daily from New York, Washington (Dulles) DC, Chicago (O’Hare), Houston (Bush Intercontinental), Philadelphia, Dallas/ Fort Worth, and five flights a week from Miami. In addition to this, over the next few months, Qatar Airways’ US network will grow further with new routes Los Angeles January 1, 2016), Boston (March 16, 2016), Atlanta (July 1, 2016) and a second daily flight to New York from March 1, 2016.

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Pictured in action at the first destination of Frankfurt is the first copy, Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006).

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways to bring the Airbus A350-900 to Munich

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjk9MmtTM00&w=560&h=315%5D

Qatar Airways (Doha) has announced it will add the new Airbus A350-900 on the Doha – Munich daily route starting on October 1. The airline issued this statement:

Qatar Airways, the Global Launch Customer of the A350 XWB, has announced the expansion of its A350 services to Germany, with the new state-of-the-art aircraft being deployed on its Doha-Munich route.

Commencing October 1, 2015, the Doha-based airline will be launching the A350 XWB to Munich alongside its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner service on one of the two double-daily flights to Munich.

Beginning November 1, 2015, the second daily flight to Munich will also be operated with the world’s newest wide-body aircraft, the A350 XWB, further strengthening the airline’s position in Germany as a world-class airline providing passengers with an exclusive premium travel experience.

Qatar Airways introduced its first and second commercial A350 XWB flights to the German market with flights to Frankfurt in January and March this year. The airline has also recently launched its third A350 aircraft to Singapore and will add its fourth and fifth aircraft with all three daily flights to Singapore scheduled to be operated with the A350 XWB by mid-August, 2015.

Qatar Airways’ A350s feature 283 seats – with 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80” inch fully flat horizontal beds – and a 247 seating capacity in Economy Class in a 3-3-3 layout. All seats in Business Class have a direct aisle access with 17” HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class features 10.6” in-flight entertainment screens and more space for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.

Qatar Airways currently has three Airbus A350-900 XWB in its fleet of aircraft, with 77 more on order, and is the only airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airline portfolio. The airline, which has been serving Munich since 1998, currently operates 14 flights each week between Munich and the airline’s Doha base, Hamad International Airport, from which it flies to 146 key leisure and business destinations worldwide.

Video above: A trip report on the Airbus A350-900 from Doha to Frankfurt.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Video below: Sam Chui. Airbus A350 inaugural flight.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZD9ORf-Ogo&w=560&h=315%5D

Qatar Airways launches Airbus A350-900 service to Singapore, will offer a Doha-Dubai shuttle

Qatar Airways (Doha), as the global launch customer for the Airbus A350-900 XWB, became the first airline to operate the world’s newest aircraft to Singapore and the Asia Pacific region today (May 11), with the inaugural A350-900 XWB service arriving in Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Upon touching down at Singapore Changi Airport, flight QR 944 was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute (above), a long-held tradition to welcome special flights or planes to an airport, and an exclusive welcome ceremony.

Qatar Airways currently operates a double-daily service to Singapore with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (below) and the aircraft will be progressively replaced by the next-generation A350-900 XWB.

Photo Above: Qatar Airways. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner A7-BCB (msn 38320).

In addition, from later this summer, Qatar Airways will add an additional daily flight to Singapore, as part of its global expansion drive and to cater to the increase in passenger demand. All three daily flights will be operated using the A350-900 XWB by mid-August.

In addition, Qatar Airways has announced an expansion to its UAE services with the launch of nonstop flights to Ras Al Khaimah, commencing on October 1, 2015.

Operating daily, flight QR 1120 will depart Doha’s Hamad International Airport at 20:15 hours and arrive at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport at 22.30 hours. The return flight QR 1121 will depart at 23:30 hours and arrive in Doha at 23:45 hours.

Additionally the carrier announced the introduction of Qatar Airways’ newest offering, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle. Having launched this week, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle will offer flights from Doha’s Hamad International Airport to Dubai International Airport, as well as Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.

The new service which is the first of its kind flying between the two cities brings with it a number of enhanced services that will reduce overall travel time and increase convenience for passengers. The shuttle service, along with its many perks, will be offered on each of the 18 daily flights between the two cities, with 14 flights to and from Dubai International Airport and four to and from Al Maktoum International Airport.

Copyright Photo Above: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 A7-ADX (msn 3397) departs from tropical Doha, Qatar.

According to the airline, “passengers on the Doha-Dubai Shuttle will also be able to enjoy the newly unveiled Qatar Airways inflight entertainment system with its brand new design and identity. The new brand “Oryx One – Explore. Play. Share.” embraces Qatar Airways’ corporate colours and will provide passengers with a comprehensive experience of entertainment, information and connectivity.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTlxLXMC6JI&w=560&h=315%5D

Video: Qatar Airways. The new Oryx One on Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker (below) announced the launch of the Doha-Dubai Shuttle and the unveiled new brand identity of the airline’s inflight entertainment during a press conference on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – the Middle East’s premier travel show – taking place in Dubai this week.

Photo Above: Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker announces the carrier’s 2015 expansion plans and latest undertakings during a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Specially branded and dedicated check-in counters located at Row 5 at Hamad International Airport will be available for all passengers travelling from Doha to Dubai on the Doha-Dubai Shuttle. Passengers who plan on checking in baggage must check in no later than one hour before their scheduled departure time. Return flights from Dubai to Doha also require check in of a minimum of one hour before the scheduled departure time for all passengers, including those with only hand baggage.

Passengers flying on the Qatar Airways Doha-Dubai Shuttle will also be able to take advantage of fast-track immigration in Doha, allowing them to clear passport control in a minimum amount of time before proceeding to their boarding gates located in either Concourse A or B, which are no more than a seven to 10 minute walk, on average, from passport control.

Qatar Airways has so far announced an the addition of seven destinations to its international map this year – Amsterdam, Ras Al Khaimah, Zanzibar, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan and Durban – and is gearing up for more route expansion in 2016 with three new US cities, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.

Finally, Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca) have announced the launch of a strategic joint business agreement on their services between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Royal Air Maroc Chairman and CEO, Mr. Driss Benhima signed the joint business agreement today at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, in the presence of international press and travel trade partners.

The joint business will benefit passengers by providing enhanced links between Qatar and Morocco, greater choice of flights to more destinations and improved frequent flyer benefits. With this new agreement, passengers will be able to purchase a single itinerary combining flights on both carriers’ global networks, affording them the ease of one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in.

Royal Air Maroc will be operating three weekly flights with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Doha complimenting Qatar Airways’ existing seven times weekly flights to Casablanca, giving passengers the flexibility of using a combination of flights from both airlines between Qatar and Morocco, significantly increasing their options.

Video Below: Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways First Officer Robby and his wife talk about the wonderful life they have made for themselves in Doha since he joined the airline. Find out how they have rapidly adapted to the Middle Eastern way of life and why they plan to spend the foreseeable future in this fast-growing, dynamic city, which has so much to offer pilots and their families looking for an exciting new chapter in their lives.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WdIHUIlE8w&w=560&h=315%5D

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways is coming to Atlanta, Boston and Los Angeles, will bring the Airbus A350 to Boston and New York

Qatar Airways (Doha) has announced the next phase of its USA route development with the introduction of three new passenger routes to Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta. With these new destinations, Qatar Airways will offer daily nonstop services to all 10 of the largest metropolitan areas of the United States.

Effective January 1, 2016, Qatar Airways will commence daily flights to Los Angeles, California with the airline’s flagship Boeing 777 aircraft, which features a two-class cabin with 42 Business Class fully lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration.

From March 16, 2016, the airline will launch daily flights to Boston and will operate its latest flagship A350-900 XWB in a two-class configuration with 36 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring an 80” fully flat bed and 17” HD in-flight entertainment screen.

Atlanta, Georgia, will be Qatar Airways’ third new route to the US and will commence with daily flights starting on July 1, 2016 (now moved forward to June 1, 2016). The route will be operated with the airline’s flagship Boeing 777 aircraft.

Increasing passenger demand to America’s largest city and financial center, New York, has prompted Qatar Airways to add a second daily service to the city from March 1, 2016. Qatar Airways has served the city daily since the initial route launch in 2007. The second daily service to New York’s JFK will be operated by the Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft providing passengers an opportunity to experience both the Boeing 777 and the A350 aircraft types on the route.

The airline has seen rapid growth in just 18 years of operation to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 156 aircraft to 146 key business and leisure destinations. Among the 146 destinations currently served are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, New Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta and the Maldives – all with excellent connections from the US cities.

How will the U.S. Airlines respond?

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) is pictured at Frankfurt, its first destination.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways to operate the new Airbus A350-900 from Doha to Dubai during March

Qatar Airways (Doha) has scheduled a number of Airbus A350-900 flights on the short Doha – Dubai route according to Airline Route during the month of March giving travelers a chance to sample the new type on a much shorter route. The A350-900 is currently in service between Doha and Frankfurt, the first route for the new type.

In other news, Qatar Airways Cargo is launching freighter service to EuroAirport serving the Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg area. The new route will operate weekly with Airbus A330-200F freighters on the Doha-Brussels-EuroAirport (Basel)-Doha route.

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Captured in beautiful light, newly-delivered Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) is seen at its first destination, Frankfurt. A7-ALA was handed over to the carrier on December 22 and entered service on the route on January 15.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Airbus delivers the first Airbus A350 to Qatar Airways

Airbus (Toulouse) today (December 22) delivered the first Airbus A350 to launch customer Qatar Airways (Doha). The pictured A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006, ex F-WZFA) was handed over in a ceremony at Toulouse. Airbus issued this statement and photos:

Airbus has delivered the first A350 XWB, the world’s latest generation widebody airliner, to launch customer Qatar Airways. The A350 XWB redefines the way people fly for the coming decades and opens up a new era in comfortable, efficient long-haul air travel when it enters service with Qatar Airways, renowned for leading the industry to new heights in service excellence.

The A350 XWB embodies the most advanced technologies and breakthrough innovations in aerodynamics, light-weight materials and aircraft systems. Powered by ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and an extra-wide, bright and spacious cabin, the A350 XWB promises to be a firm favourite with travellers who will discover a whole new way of flying. Airlines will also benefit from unequalled levels of operating efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “Receiving the A350 XWB as global launch customer is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, and after much anticipation, I am delighted that the day has come when we will welcome this latest generation aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet.

“In the seven years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership programme with Airbus, there has been significant growth in the airline industry. I am confident that this increase in passenger numbers around the world will only increase further in the years to come, and delighted that Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector in offering our passengers the opportunity to travel on board the most modern of airliners in the sky.”

John Rishton, Rolls-Royce, Chief Executive Officer said: “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. This is a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce. It is the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter for our business.”

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO said: “Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customers’ needs. The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly.” He adds: “It is with tremendous pride that we are delivering our first A350 XWB today to our launch customer, Qatar Airways. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading, world class airline.”

Photos: Airbus.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Video: Follow the initial Airbus A350-900 aircraft for global launch customer Qatar Airways through the manufacturing process – from delivery of components to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France to its maiden flight in autumn 2014. The video also highlights the “Xtra” that makes the difference for this Airbus next-generation widebody jetliner – including its spacious and comfortable cabin, use of advanced composite materials along with the aircraft’s highly-efficient and quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCIZdvmJSOA&w=560&h=315%5D

Airbus to deliver the first Airbus A350-900 to Qatar Airways on Monday

Qatar Airways (Doha) will now take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 on Monday, December 22. Apparently the previous unspecified issues that delayed the original handover date have been worked out. Qatar Airways will now receive the pictured A350-941 F-WZFA/A7-ALA (msn 006) on Monday as the launch customer of the new type and the first airline to take delivery.

Airbus issued this statement:

The historic delivery of Airbus’ first A350 XWB – which is to be received on December 22 by launch customer Qatar Airways – will mark another major milestone for this advanced widebody jetliner that is setting new standards in terms of passenger comfort, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The A350 XWB program has been particularly busy during 2014 as Airbus and other stakeholders worked toward the headline-making initial handover. This activity was highlighted by the continuation and completion of A350-900 flight testing; which was followed by Type Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), received in September and November, respectively.
Lasting just over 14 months, which is an industry record, the A350-900 flight test and certification programme comprised a five-aircraft fleet which performed over 2,600 flight hours in total. During this campaign, Airbus successfully completed the certification trials which took the airframe and its systems beyond their design limits to ensure airworthiness criteria are fully met.

The remarkable fuel-efficiency is the product of cutting-edge technology. More than two-thirds of this jetliner’s airframe is made from composite materials, titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The fuselage and wings are built from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. The latest aerodynamics sharpen the A350’s operational efficiency, while its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines use the most advanced propulsion technology.

At the end of November 2014, the A350 XWB had logged 778 firm orders from 41 customers worldwide. To meet this demand, Airbus is ramping up production progressively to reach the planned rate of 10 aircraft per month by 2018.

Video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2_zmAiSw9s&w=560&h=315%5D

Qatar Airways delays the delivery of the first Airbus A350

Qatar Airways (Doha) has delayed “indefinitely” the delivery of the first Airbus A350-900. According to AFP an Airbus spokesperson stated “We are working very closely with Qatar Airways to meet our common goal to deliver the first A350 XWB very soon”. No reason for the delay was given. The delivery of the first Airbus A380 was also delayed previously.

Qatar Airways and Airbus (Toulouse) had previously announced the delivery of the first of its 80 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft was set to take place in Toulouse, France, on Saturday, December 13. The pictured A350-941 F-WZFA (msn 006) was due to be handed over as A7-ALA.

The first commercial service was due to be on the Doha-Frankfurt route starting on January 15, 2015 but this is now delayed.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways to take delivery of the first Airbus A350-900 on December 13

Qatar Airways (Doha) and Airbus (Toulouse) have announced the highly anticipated date of the official delivery of the first of its 80 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft on order, set to take place in Toulouse, France, on Saturday, December 13. The pictured A350-941 F-WZFA (msn 006) will be handed over as A7-ALA.

The first commercial service will be deployed on the Doha-Frankfurt route starting on January 15, 2015.

Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The aircraft’s innovative all-new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 142 aircraft to 145 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

Top Photo: Airbus.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

Video: A sneak preview of the Qatar Airbus A350:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlQ8O0feWuU&w=560&h=315%5D