Tag Archives: A350

Finnair announces its new Airbus A350-900 flights and routes, will operate familiarization flights in Europe in October

Finnair (Helsinki) will formally introduced its new Airbus A350-900 on October 25, 2015. However the airline will operate a number of introductory routes and flights in Europe during October before the new type goes into regular service to Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Finnair’s first ever commercial A350 flight will be on October 5 from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.

According to the airline:

Finnair is the European launch customer, and only the third worldwide, of the completely new aircraft type, which substantially raises the bar for passenger comfort, environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Finnair is also the first airline in the world to operate the A350 on scheduled services to China, where Shanghai will be served with daily A350 service from October 25, 2015. Beijing follows with daily A350 service on November 21, 2015.

Finnair’s peak-season frequencies to Bangkok will be served with a combination of A350 and modern, comfortable A330 aircraft from December 4, 2015. Daily services to Hong Kong from February 1, 2016 and to Singapore from May 5, 2016 will also be operated with a combination of A350 and A330 aircraft.

Customers can determine the planned aircraft type of their flight by clicking on the flight number during the online booking process at Finnair.com, or by consulting with their travel agent. Changes in aircraft type are possible for operational reasons.

Finnair has 19 A350 aircraft on order, and expects to receive the first four by the end of this year. Another seven will be delivered in 2016 and 2017, with the remaining eight to be delivered between 2018 and 2023. Finnair plans to phase out its A340 aircraft by the end of 2017, leaving the entire widebody fleet comprised only of top-of-the-range Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft.

Crew familiarization flights planned in Europe

Before long-haul A350 operations begin, Finnair will conduct crew familiarization flights throughout Europe during October. These regularly scheduled commercial services will be operated as usual within the Finnair network, just with an A350 rather than the usual narrowbody aircraft. As part of this crew familiarisation, Finnair’s first ever commercial A350 flight will be on October 5 to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, followed in the next two weeks by other European cities such as Brussels, Hamburg, London, Stockholm and Vienna.

October Flights in Europe:

CLICK HERE for the full list of Airbus A350 flights.

Finnair’s A350 XWB: New standards in passenger comfort

The A350’s bright and spacious cabin features large panoramic view windows and comfortable seating arrangements in both cabin classes. Gradual changes in dynamic ambient LED lighting ease customers into new time zones and help create a calming and fresh atmosphere. All Finnair A350s will also be equipped with Wi-Fi for greater passenger enjoyment and connectivity.

The eco-smart design of the A350 brings more than 25 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and operating cost over the previous generation of aircraft in its class, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of Finnair and its passengers.

The A350 also features an advanced pure air filtration system that changes the air in the cabin every two to three minutes. Draft-free air management, adjustable multiple temperature zones and a higher cabin pressurization also enhance the well-being and reduce the fatigue of passengers and crew.

The 297-seat configuration includes 46 seats in Business Class (above) in a 1+2+1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access for all Business Class passengers. The Zodiac Cirrus III seats convert to fully flat beds, while a 16-inch touch-screen inflight entertainment system comes programmed with films, TV shows, music and other digital content on demand in numerous languages. Seats in Business Class also come equipped with AC and USB power outlets.

The Economy Class cabin features comfortable Zodiac Z300 slim-line seats with a 31-inch seat pitch in a 3+3+3 layout. At the front of the Economy Class cabin are 43 Economy Comfort seats, which come with four extra inches of leg room as well as noise-cancelling headphones and an amenity kit. All seats in Economy include an 11-inch touch screen inflight entertainment system and USB power outlets.

All images by Finnair and Airbus.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

Video: Finnair:

Finnair to bring Wi-Fi to its fleet, pins its turnaround plans on the new Airbus A350-900 and service improvements

Finnair‘s (Helsinki) Board of Directors has approved an investment program for bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to the majority of Finnair’s wide-body and narrow-body fleet.

Finnair will introduce its first onboard Wi-Fi service in the fall of 2015, with the arrival of the first Finnair A350-900 XWB aircraft. In 2016, the company will start Wi-Fi installations on Finnair’s Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft as well as its European short-haul Airbus fleet. Installations are expected to be completed by 2018.

Meanwhile the company issued its plan to turn around the company. The top management briefed its shareholders on the plans:

Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo has listed new meal services on board, full flat Business Class seats, Economy Comfort seats and the new Light ticket type as good examples of its service renewal. In addition the company has begun investing in different digital services.

According to Vauramo, Finnair’s fleet renewal plays a key role in the company’s new phase. In the second half of this year, Finnair will be the first European airline to operate the next-generation Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft.

“The first long-haul operation with the new aircraft is at the end of October, and Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok are the first destinations,” Vauramo says. “On these Asian routes we get the most out of our new aircraft. The new aircraft will improve our product, decrease costs and also decrease our CO2 emissions.”

“As the fleet investment program proceeds, our long-haul will start to grow in 2016. We seek growth in traffic and in revenue with these aircraft. As we are now more cost-effective, thanks to our structural changes, I believe we have a strong foundation to produce results with the new fleet,” Vauramo estimates.

“Growth also creates jobs. Every new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft that grows our fleet will create approximately 200 jobs at Finnair. Half of this is flying personnel, and the other half is in other functions,” Vauramo stresses. “Increasing the fleet size by five long-haul aircraft will create approximately 1000 jobs in Finnair in the next five years. The company employed approximately 4500 persons at the end of 2014.

Finnair continues to seek growth in Asia, where the company now has more than 70 flights per week. Economic growth in Asia continues, but there are growth opportunities also in North America. Finnair is opening a new route to Chicago this June.

Successful savings program enabled move towards growth strategy

Klaus Heinemann, Chairman of the Finnair Board of Directors, stressed in his opening speech the importance of reaching collective labor and savings agreements with all personnel groups through negotiations in 2014. “For this, I want to express my sincere and warm thanks to the whole Finnair personnel. We are very fortunate that we are not in the same position as some of our competitors who have struggled with strikes during this and last year,” Heinemann said.

Heinemann also highlighted the significance of 2015. “We are now moving to a new phase, where in line with our strategy, we seek to grow revenue. Even if the changes ahead are positive in nature, they will not be easy, as launching new products and taking new aircraft into use always requires an organization to learn new things and move away from old ways of working. I believe that the Finnair team is well aware of the great opportunities the upcoming changes of 2015 offer us to improve our performance, and the Finnair spirit will support the performance of the team.”

Discussion still needed on ownership structure and the financial challenges of domestic flying

Chairman of the Board Heinemann reminded the shareholders of the wish he made last year, and called for continuation of constructive discussion in Finland on Finnair ownership structure and the company’s future in the consolidating aviation market: “I believe that Finnair’s future matters to the whole Finnish national economy, and hence it would be worthwhile to consider how the good air connections in Finland could best be secured in this consolidating world.”

Heinemann also brought up the challenges of Finnair’s domestic flying. “Our business on domestic routes has been financially in the red for a long time,” he said. “I understand the national concern in Finland over maintaining air connections.” Heinemann also said he had familiarized himself with the Finnish aviation strategy published by the Ministry of Transportation.

He pointed out that a responsible Board of Directors has a legal obligation to address the challenge presented by domestic flying. “Finnair has expressed interest in taking part in discussions on the different ways demand for aviation could be stimulated in Finland,” he added. Heinemann also noted that it is important to separate the obligation of the public sector to provide a service, and the obligations of a listed company.

Image: Airbus.

Video: Finnair Chairman Klaus Heinemann’s opening speech at AGM on March 25, 2015.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

Airbus rolls out the first painted A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement and photo of the first Airbus A350 for Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi):

The first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines has been rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse on Friday March 6, featuring the airline’s updated (2014) distinctive blue and gold lotus livery.

The aircraft, which will be leased from AerCap, is now entering the advanced stage of production. This will include installation of the engines, completion of cabin furnishing, and cockpit fitting, followed by ground and flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the middle of the year.

Vietnam Airlines will become the first Asian airline to fly the A350 XWB and the second operator in the world. Vietnam Airlines will acquire 14 A350 XWBs, including ten on order from Airbus and four under lease agreements. The carrier will operate its A350 XWB fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Hanoi and Paris.

At the end of February 2015, the A350 XWB had won 780 firm orders from 40 customers worldwide.

Photos: Airbus. The first A350-941 will use the temporary marks of F-WZFI. It will become VN-A886 (msn 014) on delivery in June.

Vietnam Airlines aircraft slide show:

New video from Iberia; Iberia previews the new Airbus A350

New video from Iberia: A preview of the new Airbus A350.

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:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Qatar-Airways

Qatar Airways operates the first revenue flight of the new Airbus A350-900

Qatar Airways (Doha) today (January 15), as planned, inaugurated and operated the first revenue flight of the new Airbus A350-900. Flight QR 067 departed from Doha’s new Hamad International Airport this morning at 0810 local time bound for Frankfurt. The flight arrived at FRA at 1206 CET local time.

More to come on the arrival in Frankfurt.

In other news, Qatar Airways has announced the launch of new direct flights from Doha to Sofia from March, a destination currently served by the airline via Bucharest.

Frequencies are also increasing from Doha to Ankara, which will be served by a six weekly flight connection instead of five from March 1, while capacity will increase to Zagreb with an additional direct flight per week, increasing the frequency from four to five direct flights weekly.

Photo: Qatar Airways. The inaugural pushback from Doha today.

Video:

Video: Sam Chui was on the inaugural flight:

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Qatar-Airways

Videos: Qatar Airways tomorrow introduces the new Airbus A350-900

Qatar Airways (Doha) will introduce the first Airbus A350-900 (A350 XWB) tomorrow (January 15) on the Doha – Frankfurt route. On March 1 the carrier will add a second daily A350 flight on the route.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Qatar-Airways

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:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Qatar-Airways

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.

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:

Finnair’s first Airbus A350-900 takes shape

Finnair (Helsinki) in the fall of 2015 will take delivery of its first Airbus A350, specially the pictured A350-941 (msn 018).

Airbus has issued this picture and short message:

The first A350-900 for Finnair is taking shape in the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Finnair will be the first European airline to fly the A350 XWB and the third operator in the world. Scheduled for delivery in autumn 2015 the aircraft is now in the fuselage section joining phase.

Following this, the aircraft will move to wing junction, cabin installation and first power-on, all achieved in one single station. Once these phases are completed, the aircraft will undergo system tests, cabin completion, painting and engine installation before starting the delivery process, including flight testing.

Finnair has a total of 19 A350 XWB on order. The aircraft will be deployed on Finnair’s long-haul routes to Asia and America.

Photo: Airbus.

Finnair aircraft slide show: