SAS names its latest Airbus A350-900 (SE-RSH) โFrederik Vikingโ in honor of His Majesty King Frederik X, the King of Denmark, during a ceremony at Copenhagen Airport, as the airline celebrates its 80th anniversary year.
His Majesty King Frederik X attended the naming ceremony on May 18, 2026. The aircraft operated flight SK987 from Copenhagen to Seoul Incheon later that evening.
SAS aircraft traditionally carry Viking-inspired names, reflecting the airlineโs Scandinavian heritage.
The Airbus A350 is the flagship of SASโ long-haul fleet and serves intercontinental routes from Copenhagen to destinations across North America and Asia. From its Copenhagen hub, SAS continues to expand its global network, linking Denmark with the wider Scandinavian region and key international markets.
SAS
The aircraft forms part of SASโ fleet renewal program and represents the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft in its category, contributing to lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions compared with previous generations.
Designed to enhance the travel experience, the A350 features a quiet cabin environment, improved air quality and advanced onboard comfort, offering customers an enhanced and more enjoyable long-haul experience.
EgyptAir has taken delivery of its first of 16 Airbus A350โ900 on order, becoming the launch operator for the type in North Africa. The A350 will support the airlineโs longโhaul fleet modernisation and network expansion with new nonโstop routes to key destinations including the US West Coast and North Asia, from its Cairo hub. EGYPTAIR currently operates an Airbus fleet of eight A320neos, seven A321neos and 11 A330 Family aircraft, including five A330-200P2F.
The aircraft features a two-class configuration, comprising 30 Business Class suites with direct aisle access and 310 Economy Class seats. The unique, latest-generation Airspace cabin is designed to improve the long-haul experience for both passengers and crew through enhanced ergonomics and greater comfort.
IndiGo, Indiaโs largest airline, has finalized a commitment for 30 Airbus A350 aircraft, converting a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June into a firm order. This brings the airline’s total A350 orders to 60 aircraft. The expanded order marks a strategic shift for IndiGo as it prepares to enter the long-haul international market, leveraging the A350โs long range and efficiency to support its global ambitions.
IndiGo has made a decisive move into the longโhaul market with its order for the Airbus A350. The airline has committed to 60 A350โ900s, powered by RollsโRoyce Trent XWBโ84 engines, with deliveries beginning in 2027 and continuing into the early 2030s. This marks a major shift for IndiGo, which has until now focused almost exclusively on shortโ and mediumโhaul operations with its large fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft. The A350 order also includes purchase rights for an additional 40 aircraft, giving the airline flexibility to expand further if the strategy proves successful.
The A350โ900โs range of around 15,000 kilometers will allow IndiGo to launch nonโstop flights from India to North America, Europe, and Australia. Likely destinations under consideration include New York, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, and Melbourne. These routes would place IndiGo in direct competition with Air India, which currently dominates IndiaโU.S. nonโstops and is in the midst of its own widebody renewal program.
IndiGo has not yet revealed its final cabin layout, but industry reports suggest a twoโclass configurationย with a lieโflat business class product and a highโdensity economy cabin. This would be a departure from IndiGoโs traditional allโeconomy model, but necessary to compete on longโhaul routes where premium demand is strong. The airline is expected to leverage its lowโcost DNA to keep fares competitive while still offering a product that appeals to business and leisure travelers alike.
The competitive landscape is shaping up as a battle between IndiGoโs cost efficiency and scale versus Air Indiaโs premium positioning and alliance partnerships. Air India is betting on a fullโservice model with upgraded cabins, lounges, and Star Alliance connectivity, while IndiGo will rely on its massive domestic network to feed longโhaul flights and its reputation for operational efficiency. By 2030, IndiGo aims to be a true global player, challenging not only Air India but also Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways by offering direct, lowerโcost alternatives from India to key intercontinental markets.
IndiGo, India’s most preferred airline, is further defining its long-term future by strengthening its fleet with the introduction of wide-body aircraft to its fleet. Since inception in 2006, IndiGo has been successfully building its position and is now defining its future further on the path of becoming a global aviation player.
IndiGo agreed to place an order for 30 firm A350-900 aircraft, which will enable IndiGo to spread its wings further and expand its network. From the various Indian metros, IndiGo will be able to connect to the world.
The aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royceโs Trent XWB engine. The mission capability of this aircraft coupled with the efficiency of the Trent XWB engine will offer IndiGo unprecedented optionality as it embarks on the next stage of its wonderful journey of addressing the rapidly evolving needs of the Indian customer and our nation.
Currently, IndiGo operates over 350 aircraft. Last year, in June 2023, IndiGo placed the largest ever single aircraft order by any airline for 500 aircraft with Airbus. With that, the outstanding orderbook of A320 Family aircraft stands at almost 1,000 aircraft which are yet to be delivered well into the next decade.
This IndiGo order-book comprises a mix of A320NEO, A321NEO and A321XLR aircraft.
The exact configuration of the aircraft will be decided at a later stage, and the deliveries are expected to start from 2027.
In addition to the 30 firm A350-900 order, IndiGo has Purchase Rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 Family aircraft, at its discretion, for possible future needs under certain conditions.
In calendar year 2023, IndiGo welcomed 100 million customers onboard its flights and as such, the airline is, quite literally, giving wings to our nation. IndiGo is amongst the fastest growing airlines in the world, and this order will allow it to strengthen its growth trajectory.
Before the end of this decade, the Indian economy is expected to grow from being the worldโs 5th largest today to being the 3rd largest. Specifically in aviation, the Indian government has stated its mission to ensure that by 2030 India comes into her own on the world stage of aviation leadership by building cutting-edge infrastructure and developing the country into a global aviation hub.
Munich has a new flying ambassador. An Airbus A350-900 with the registration D-AIVC was christened on April 29 at Munich Airport by the Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Sรถder.
In his address, Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG said: “The A350 is the quietest and most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in our fleet. With a significantly improved Business Class on board, this aircraft also represents the beginning of one of the largest product modernizations in Lufthansa’s history. This aircraft is sustainable and offers customers a premium flight experience. The “Munich” is a worthy ambassador of the Bavarian capital to the world.”
The D-AIVC now departs from the Bavarian hub for Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
Premium travel experience with improved Business Class
The “Munich” is the first aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet to offer its guests an improved Business Class. All seats have direct access to the aisle, can be easily and quickly converted into a two-meter-long bed and offer more storage space. In addition, travelers have significantly more space in the shoulder area.
The introduction of the improved Business Class marks the beginning of an extensive renewal of Lufthansa’s cabins. Next year, the airline will introduce a new top product in all travel classes, Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class, that is unparalleled in the market.
Six aircraft have already been named Munich
The A350 is already the sixth aircraft to be christened with the city’s name. This means that Lufthansa can already look back on more than six decades of flying with a “Munich”. ย On October 11, 1960, a Lufthansa aircraft was named after the Bavarian capital for the first time. The “godchild” at the time, a Boeing 707 with the registration D-ABOF, was christened at what was then Munich-Riem Airport. The godmother was Ilse Vogel, wife of the then Lord Mayor Dr. Hans-Jochen Vogel. The fifth “Munich” was the Airbus A380 with the registration D-AIMB, which was christened by Edith von Welser-Ude on July 28, 2010 and which is no longer part of the Lufthansa fleet.
Reduction of CO2ย emissions by 30 percent
The A350, whose fleet in Munich is being expanded from 17 to 21 aircraft, is the Lufthansa Group’s most modern and fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft. In order to accelerate the modernization of its long-haul fleet, the Lufthansa Group had signed leases for four additional Airbus A350-900s in the fall of 2021. These will all be used by the core Lufthansa brand at the Munich site, thus strengthening the premium offering there.
The A350-900 consumes only around 2.5 liters of kerosene per passenger per 100 kilometers flown. This reduces CO2ย emissions by around 30 percent compared with predecessor models. The aircraft is also much quieter.
Lufthansa Group is accelerating the modernization of its fleet. New, highly cost and fuel-efficient aircraft are replacing older types on short, medium and long-haul routes. As a result, the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG decided to buy ten long-haul aircraft: five Airbus A350-900s and five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The Supervisory Board approved the purchase today. These aircraft will be operated by Lufthansa Airlines and strengthen the 5-star premium offer of the Groupโs core brand.
As part of the long-standing fleet renewal program, a total of 175 new aircraft will be delivered to Lufthansa Group airlines this decade.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said:
“Even in these challenging times, we are continuing to invest in a more modern, more efficient and a lower emission Lufthansa Group fleet. At the same time, we are pushing ahead with the modernization of our long-haul fleet even faster than planned prior to the coronavirus pandemic due to anticyclical opportunities. The new aircraft are the most modern of their kind. We want to further expand our global leadership role, among other things, with cutting-edge premium products and a state-of-the-art fleet โ especially because we have a responsibility to the environment.”
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is scheduled to fly for Lufthansa as early as next winter, with others to follow in the first half of 2022. Today’s decision brings the total number of firm orders for Boeing 787-9s and Boeing 777-9s to 45 aircraft.
Due to the dramatic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global aviation, aircraft that had been ordered by some airlines could not be delivered in the past twelve months. Lufthansa held talks with Boeing and found a way to buy five 787-9 that were already manufactured. At the same time, the Group reached an agreement with Boeing on a restructured delivery plan.
Airbus A350-900 The five newly ordered Airbus A350-900s will be delivered in 2027 and 2028. This brings the total number of firm orders for the A350-900 to 45 aircraft. The Lufthansa Group also agreed with Airbus on a restructuring of planned deliveries.
In addition to renewing its long-haul fleet, Lufthansa is also focusing on the latest technology, maximum efficiency and the highest level of customer comfort on short-haul routes. In the current year alone, Lufthansa will take delivery of a new, fuel-efficient Airbus A320 family aircraft for short- and medium-haul routes on average every month. Delivery of a further 107 Airbus A320 Family aircraft is planned until 2027.
With the Airbus A350-900, the Boeing 777-9 and the Boeing 787-9, the Lufthansa Group will operate the most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in terms of kerosene consumption per passenger and 100 kilometers flown. On average, the new aircraft will only consume approximately 2.5 liters of kerosene per passenger and 100 kilometers flown. This is about 30 percent less than many current as well as previously operated long-haul aircraft models and will have an equally positive impact on the Groupโs carbon footprint
The investment in new aircraft is in line with the framework agreement between the Economic Stabilization Fund of the Federal Republic of Germany (WSF) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The investments are also in line with the Group’s policy of limiting annual capital expenditures to the level of depreciation and amortization and strictly focusing on increasing company value
Current plans call for an initial fleet reduction, while at the same time extensively modernizing it in the future. The Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 will essentially replace the four-engine A340 long-haul aircraft as part of this process. Plans call for reducing the number of four-engine aircraft in the Lufthansa Group long-haul fleet to less than 15 percent by the middle of this decade; before the crisis, the share was around 50 percent. The aircraft purchases are accelerating the reduction of fleet complexity for more efficiency. The new, fuel-efficient aircraft will reduce operating costs by around 15 percent compared with the models they replace.
Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Airbus A350-941 D-AIXN (msn 292) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 946359.
The East African airline has continued to fly and create new business since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the A350-900 is part of this success.
Some 60 percent of the worldโs fleet was grounded in 2020 due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on air transport, as aviation industry estimates show. The impact of the pandemic took a noticeable effect from March 2020 when the number of flights dropped significantly, as a direct consequence of the collapse in passenger demand.
Most companies booked massive financial losses, making 2020 the worst year in the aviation industry financially speaking. Interestingly, Ethiopian Airlines was among those which remained โcash positiveโ during this period.
Cargo boost to operations
March 2020 is precisely the month when Ethiopian started to operate its first cargo-only service on a passenger aircraft. The Addis Ababa-based carrier made the crucial decision to temporarily convert part of its fleet to carry cargo rather than passengers. Since then, the company has boosted its capacity on cargo operations.
This remarkable agility at all levels of the company enabled Ethiopian to meet the cargo demand which was increasing at that time. Its โpreightersโ โ passenger aircraft carrying cargo in the cabin – transported tonnes of masks and medical products, as well as industrial products and goods such as mobile phones, IT equipment, and clothing.
In a recent communication, the company indicated it had โoperated 5,645 cargo flights on the cabin of passenger aircraft and transported more than 121,750 tonnes of cargo across its vast global network. The flights added an immense value to the total of 33,182 flights and 735,869 tonnes of cargo transported during the period from March 25, 2020 to March 25,2021โ.
All Ethiopian A350-900 kept flying
Not surprisingly, Ethiopian used its entire A350-900 fleet for cargo operations. Seven out of its 16 extra-wide body aircraft have been converted to freighters by removing all economy seats. The other nine are used either for passengers or for cargo loaded on the economy seats. As a result, all Ethiopian A350-900 have kept flying during the period.
The East African carrier has fully benefited from the extraordinary capability of the Airbus aircraft to fly with an operational reliability of 99.5 percent. Incorporating advances in flight controls, systems, and wing design, the A350-900 is a truly state-of-the-art aircraft. These developments have a genuine impact in terms of operations, maintenance and efficiency, meaning that the aircraft reduces its fuel burn significantly โ generating savings and reducing its environmental impact. The aircraft has the lowest cost per seat of its category.
A350 navigates the storm
Reaching high in terms of efficiency and reliability, the A350 also turns out to be highly versatile. โThe cabin layout of the A350 is based on the concept of โsimplicity by designโ where efficiency of space on board the aircraft is a key factorโ, says Mikail Houari,ย President Airbus Africa Middle East. โThe 221-inch cross-section, the straight sidewalls from floor to ceiling, the unequaled height of the ceiling and the reduced tapering offer an unequaled space to load parcels. Designed at the origin to improve the comfort of the passengers, the fully flat, horizontal floor and the recessed rails are particularly practical when the aircraft is in cargo configurationโ.
For all these reasons, the A350-900 has been instrumental in the airlineโs strategy to navigate the storm. โLet me express my admiration for Ethiopian Airlinesโ remarkable achievement during this unprecedented pandemic. Let me also voice my pride to see the A350 playing a critical role in this successโ, concludes Mikail.
In a nod to the history of the French aviation industry, the 350th Airbus A350 will fly in the Air France colors.
The aircraft on February 4 left the aircraft manufacturerโs assembly line in Toulouse and will shortly begin flying to Bamako and Abidjan.
In returning to its tradition of naming its aircraft, Air France has called it Nice, in tribute to the iconic city on the French Riviera and gateway to the Mediterranean.
Nice joins the A350s already delivered to the company โ Toulouse, Lyon and St. Denis de la Rรฉunion.
By 2025, Air France will take delivery of 38 Airbus A350s, the new jewel in its long-haul fleet.
6 destinations to discover by Airbus A350
For the 2020 summer season*, Air France will serve 6 long-haul destinations by Airbus A350 on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Abidjan (Cรดte dโIvoire), Bamako (Mali), Bangkok (Thailand), Atlanta, Boston, Washington (USA).
Bamako – Abidjan: 1 daily flight
Bangkok: 3 weekly flights (outbound flight on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; return on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
โAtlanta: 1 daily flight
Boston: 1 daily flight until 4 May and subsequently 2 daily flights
Washington: 1 daily flight as from 5 June 2020
*2020 summer season: from 29 March to 25 October 2020
A new definition of comfort
The Air France Airbus A350 has 324 seats, with 34 in the Business cabin, 24 in the Premium Economy cabin and 266 in the Economy cabin.
On board, customers enjoy:
a spacious and quiet cabin,
windows that are 30% larger,
an optimized air pressure system providing a more comfortable cabin atmosphere with regularly renewed cabin air,
lighting adapted to the different flight phases.
In Business, the seat turns into a real 2 metre-long lie-flat bed, guaranteeing restful sleep. In Premium Economy, the brand new โReclinerโ seat is 48cm wide and reclines to 124ยฐ. In Economy, the seat has been redesigned for even more comfort, with a reinforced ergonomic seat cushion, a 118ยฐ seat recline, as well as a 79-cm seat pitch. Each cabin features large individual High Definition touch screens.
To stay connected on board the Airbus A350, customers have access to Air France CONNECT, the inflight Wi-Fi service, which offers 3 types of pass:
A free “Message” pass for all, to send and receive messages during the entire flight;
A “Surf” pass, costing between โฌ3 and โฌ18 (6,000 Miles), to surf the internet, consult and send emails;
A “Stream” pass, costing โฌ30 (10,000 Miles), to enjoy high-speed internet access, streaming and downloading, including the “Message” and “Surf” passes.
Renewing the Air France fleet, a powerful way of reducing its environmental footprint
With the Airbus A350-900, Air France is accelerating the change towards more sustainable air transport, in line with its HORIZON 2030 commitments.
A latest-generation aircraft, the A350 consumes 25% less fuel (i.e. 2.5 litres per passenger per 100 kilometres) thanks to the use of 67% lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
Top Copyright Photo: Air France Airbus A350-941 F-HTYA (msn 331) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 947954.
South African Airways (SAA), a Skytrax 4-Star rated carrier, has introduced the most technology-advanced aircraft available for international ultra-long- haul travel with the launch of its new Airbus A350-900 on nonstop flights between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport starting January 20, 2020. The A350-900 aircraft will be featured on SAAโs service on the New York route operating six (6) days per week through March 31, 2020 and resuming daily service on April 1, 2020.
โThis inaugural flight was the first that we plan to introduce on our international routes in the near future.ย We are excited that our passengers will enjoy the A350s superior features such as a quieter cabin and relaxing in-flight experience including the all-new In-flight Entertainment (IFE), extra-legroom seats in Economy Class and lie-flat beds in Business Class,โ said Zuks Ramasia, SAAโs Acting CEO.
The aircraft, which is environmentally friendly, with improved fuel-efficiency can fly further than any other aircraft in commercial service. It is one of the four new Airbus A350-900s that SAA added to its fleet in October 2019.ย It replaces the Airbus A340-600, which was being used on the route.
โAll the A350-900s are equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Since entering service in 2015, the Trent XWB engines have flown more than five million hours, and are now regarded as the worldโs most efficient large aero-engines.
โThe introduction of the A350s will contribute to our operational efficiencies and cost reduction, and forms part of the ongoing fleet renewal programme.
โFor example, through the A350s, we will lower our operational costs, and save on our fuel consumption by 25% and also lower our maintenance costs by 40% over a five-year period,โ said Ramasia.
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