Airbus (Toulouse) on June 1ย completed the first flight in Toulouse of the first Airbus A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi) bearing the airlineโs updated and distinctive 2014 blue and gold lotus livery. The aircraft will now enter the final phase of production, including cabin completion, as well as further ground and flight tests. The aircraft, which will be leased from AerCap, is scheduled for delivery in the middle of the year.
Vietnam Airlines will become the first Asian airline to fly the A350-900 XWB and the second operator in the world. Vietnam Airlines will acquire 14 A350-900 XWBs, including ten on order from Airbus and four under lease agreements. The carrier will operate its A350-900 XWB fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Hanoi and Paris.
Photo: Airbus. The pictured A350-941 F-WZFI (msn 014) will become VN-A886 on delivery.
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 Dohaโs 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 Airwaysโ 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 Airwaysโ daily capacity to Philadelphia will grow from 259 seats on the Boeing 777-200 LR to 283 seats on the A350-900 aircraft.
Qatar Airwaysโ A350-900s feature 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80โ 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 17โ HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class features 10.6โ 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 โ 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 Airwaysโ US network will grow further with new routes Los Angeles ย 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).
New video from Qatar Airways:ย Airbus and Qatar Airways have collaborated to design and develop the A350 XWB. We are proud to be the first to fly the world’s newest aircraft and look forward to welcoming you on-board this aircraft. Itโs truly ahead of the curve.
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 worldโs newest wide-body aircraft, the A350 XWB, further strengthening the airlineโs 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 Airwaysโ A350s feature 283 seats โ with 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80โ inch fully flat horizontal beds โ 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 17โ HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class features 10.6โ 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 Airbusโ modern airline portfolio. The airline, which has been serving Munich since 1998, currently operates 14 flights each week between Munich and the airlineโs 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.
Copyright Photo below: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 F-WZFA became A7-ALA (msn 006) on the handover.
Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:ย
Video below: Sam Chui. Airbus A350 inaugural flight.
Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement and photo on the progress of the first Airbus A350-900 for TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aereas) (Sao Paulo):
The first A350-900 for TAM Airlines is progressing well in the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, with joining of the wings, the horizontal and vertical tail plane, the main landing gear and the tail cone to the fuselage (below).
The A350 XWB is made of 70 percent advanced materials, including 53 percent composites, and incorporates the latest innovations, providing extra efficiency for airlines.
In particular, the wings have been designed to adapt during the flight, morphing while airborne, changing their shape for maximum aerodynamic efficiency throughout the various phases of flight. This contributes to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared to previous generation competing aircraft.
TAM will be the first airline in the Americas to fly the A350 XWB and the fourth operator in the world overall. Delivery of TAMโs first A350 XWB is scheduled for the end of this year. TAM has a total of 27 A350 XWB on order.
The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus widebody product line. Offering customers a game-changing reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB has carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger comfort, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
By the end of April 2015, the A350 XWB has won 780 orders from 40 customers worldwide.
Photo above: Airbus and below (TAM). The pictured Airbus A350-941 (msn 024) takes shape at Toulouse and should be handed over to the carrier in December.
Qatar Airways (Doha), as the global launch customer for the Airbus A350-900 XWB, became the first airline to operate the worldโs 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 Airwaysย 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,ย 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 Dohaโs 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 Airwaysโ newest offering, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle. Having launched this week, the Doha-Dubai Shuttle will offer flights from Dohaโs 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 โOryx One – Explore. Play. Share.โ embraces Qatar Airwaysโ corporate colours and will provide passengers with a comprehensive experience of entertainment, information and connectivity.
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 airlineโs inflight entertainment during a press conference on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) โ the Middle Eastโs premier travel show โ taking place in Dubai this week.
Photo Above: Qatar Airways.ย 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 โ Amsterdam, Ras Al Khaimah, Zanzibar, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan and Durban โ and is gearing up for more route expansion in 2016 with three new US cities, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
Finally,ย 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 carriersโ 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 Airwaysโ 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.ย 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.
Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:ย
Copyright Photo below: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) pis pictured at Frankfurt.
The Airbus Cockpit Experience (ACE) Trainer is a mobile cockpit simulator that simulates the A350 XWB cockpit and its associated systems in an interactive and realistic environment. It enables a trainee to acquire knowledge on system operation, as well as on normal/abnormal/emergency procedures thanks to the following elements: Guided hands-on lessons; Assisted Procedure lessons; Limited free play area for session preparation or briefing, and/or reinforcement. The ACE Trainer can be used for A350 XWB Airbus Flight Crew Licensing (FCL) courses and beyond.
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has announced itsย first new Airbus A350-900 will be coming to Munich at the end of 2016. Lufthansa has ordered a total of 25 aircraft of this type, which in future will be used on routes from the airlineโs Frankfurt and Munich hubs.
This summer Lufthansa will operate a total of 26 long-range aircraft, including 17 Airbus A340-600s and nine A330-300s, from its Munich hub.
According to Lufthansa, “the Airbus A350-900 is more fuel efficient than any other aircraft type. On average the new aircraft will consume a mere 2.9 liters of kerosene per passenger per 100 kilometers, roughly 25 percent less than current-generation aircraft.”
The state-of-the-art Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines and an aerodynamic design will also reduce noise emissions to well below current prescribed limits. In addition, the cabin is extremely quiet, thanks to new insulation methods and sound- absorbing materials. Passengers on board the A350-900 will also benefit from wider panorama windows and more spacious overhead stowage bins.
Technical data
Engine: RR Trent XWB-84
Length: 65.26 meters
Wing span: 64.75 meters
Height: 17.05 meters
Wing area: 443 m2
Max. takeoff weight: 268 tons
Engine performance: 2 x 84,000 lbs
Max. fuel capacity: 138,000 liters
Cruising speed: Mach 0.85
Range*: approx. 9,500 km
Fuel consumption: approx. 2.9 liters /100 pax km
vs. Boeing 747-400: -26%
vs. Airbus A340-300: -24%
Finnair Group (Helsinki) reported a net loss ofย โฌ9.8 million ($11.0 million) for the first quarter, down from a net loss ofย โฌ28.1 million $35.5 million) in the same quarter a year ago.
CEO Pekka Vauramo commented on the results:
Finnairโs revenue in the first quarter of 2015 was on a par with the corresponding period in 2014 at 540.4 million euros. Revenue was increased by higher passenger traffic revenue and negatively affected by lower revenue from Aurinkomatkat Suntours and cargo traffic, as well as the elimination of revenue from businesses sold after the comparison period. Our profitability improved substantially, although our operational result showed a loss of 28.4 million euros.
The factors contributing to the improved result in addition to the increased revenue included further progress in cost savings as well as lower fuel prices. Unfortunately, the substantial appreciation of the dollar against the euro diluted the benefit gained from the fall in the price of jet fuel and significantly increased other dollar-denominated costs. The operational result also reflects the weak financial performance of Aurinkomatkat Suntours.
During the reporting period and in the preceding years, Finnair result has been affected by strong changes in the yen and / or changes in the dollar exchange rate. Therefore we started to report unit revenue and unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency during the review period. This change will show the actual development of our Airline Business more clearly. At the same time we adjusted the calculation method to reflect the structural changes that have taken place within the Group โ the transfer of Flybe Finlandโs own risk flying to Finnairโs purchased traffic, for example. On this basis, unit revenue at constant currency fell by 0.4 per cent and unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency rose by 1.1 percent on the comparison period. The increase in unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency is largely explained by changes in our traffic structure.
We are moving in the right direction, despite the fact that our result is still not at the level we are striving to reach. Our long-haul fleet renewal, which will start this coming autumn, will significantly improve the cost-competitiveness and customer experience of our long-haul traffic. At the same time, we will continue to focus on increasing our revenue through, for example, ancillary revenue. The positive effect of increased ancillary sales was visible already in our first quarter figures, although its share is still small. Finnairโs strategic targets are discussed in more detail in a separate stock exchange release that was issued this morning.
Finnair also announced its on-going strategy changes:
As a part of its annual strategy review, Finnair’s Board of Directors has approved a new vision and updated the companyโs mission and strategic targets.
Finnairโs direction: Unique Nordic experience
Finnairโs new vision is to offer its passengers a unique Nordic experience.
Finnairโs route network connects Asia, North America and the northern regions of Europe and beyond through its hub at Helsinki Airport. The operations are based on quality, reliability, safety and design inspired by Nordic pure nature. The vision is expressed for example in easy-to-use digital services and in the enhancement of Business Class services. The goal is that as a result of the service offered at the airport, in lounges and on board, customers arrive at their destinations relaxed and with peace of mind.
Finnairโs vision gives direction to all Finnair employees and partners in the areas of customer service, operations or development of the company operations and services.
Finnairโs mission: fast and smooth connections
Finnairโs mission is to offer
ยท the smoothest, fastest connections in the northern hemisphere via Helsinki
ยท the best network to the world from its home markets.
Updated strategic objectives for the company
ยท Double Asian traffic by 2020 from the 2010 level
ยท Deliver a unique customer experience and achieve world-class operations
ยท Create shareholder value
The core of Finnair’s strategy is taking advantage of the growing demand for traffic between Europe and Asia. The strategy is based on the growing markets in Asia, fast connections between Europe and Northeast Asia, quality service, and cost-efficient, punctual operations. Helsinki’s geographical location provides Finnair with a natural competitive advantage, as the fastest routes between many destinations in Europe and megacities in Asia go through Helsinki. In implementing its strategy, Finnair is committed to creating added value for its customers and shareholders.
To achieve these strategic objectives the company Board of Directors has approved six strategic implementation areas for 2015 โ 2017:
ยท Intercontinental growth with Northeast Asia focus
ยท Customer excellence
ยท People and Finnair culture
ยท Digitalization
ยท Funding and capital structure
ยท World-class operations
In its operations Finnair enters a new phase during the 2015โ2017 period, as it becomes, from October 2015, the first European operator of the next-generation Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. Finnair aims to maximize the competitive advantage and ensure competitive funding for the fleet investments in order to achieve its strategic objectives.
Finnairโs financial objectives
Finnairโs Board of Directors increased the target level of Adjusted gearing from maximum of 140 percent to maximum of 175 percent and confirmed other earlier long term financial objectives:
ยท EBIT margin 6% over cycle
ยท EBITDAR margin minimum of 17% over cycle
ยท Adjusted gearing maximum of 175%
ยท Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) minimum of 7%
Image below: Finnair is centering its turnaround on the new Airbus A350-900.
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 airlineโs 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 80โ fully flat bed and 17โ HD in-flight entertainment screen.
Atlanta, Georgia, will be Qatar Airwaysโ 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 airlineโs flagship Boeing 777 aircraft.
Increasing passenger demand to Americaโs largest city and financial center, New York, has prompted Qatar Airways to add a second daily service to the city from ย March 1, 2016. Qatar Airways has served the city daily since the initial route launch in 2007. The second daily service to New Yorkโs 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 โ 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.
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