It’s taken long enough, but the first Airbus A350 for Emirates has been delivered to the airline.
The first aircraft – A6-EXA – will be one amongst many with the airline due to take delivery of 65 A350 aircraft over the course of the next few years.
According to the airline, the delivery also marks the first new aircraft type to join the Emirates fleet since 2008 – with the first flight being tracked as EK7350 (live at the time of publication).
The aircraft was officially handed over this morning to Emirates and will soon embark on its ferry flight from Toulouse to Dubai today. This flight will be powered by a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, it will head off to Emirates Engineering for the final touches before it is unveiled at an event in Dubai later this week.
Interiors
Whilst the airline hasn’t unveiled much about the seating, we understand that a three-class cabin will be deployed with 312 seats – 32 in business class, 21 in premium economy and 259 in economy.
We’ll find out more at the unveiling event to see what types and models have been installed.
The cabins will feature Viasat’s (Inmartsat) Global Express Ka Platform, which should offer worldwide connectivity. This is enabled by the Airbus HBCplus programme, which allows airlines to pick and choose carrier signals, whilst not needing to rip out hardware at each installed. The In-Flight Entertainment will feature Thales’ latest IFE system – Up, offering 4K QLED capable screens at all seats, as well as twin-Bluetooth connections at each seat.
First routes
Originally, the aircraft was meant to enter service with it flying to Kuwait. That plan has changed (given the slip in delivery to Emirates).
The aircraft will officially enter commercial service in January when it makes its debut flight to its first destination, Edinburgh, followed by 8 other destinations across the Middle East, West Asia and Europe.
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