Virgin Atlantic has ordered seven additional Airbus A330neo aircraft, bringing its total commitment for the model to 19 planes as part of a fleet modernization effort.
The announcement came during the Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday, aboard Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo “Ruby Rebel,” named to commemorate the airline’s 40th anniversary.
Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said the purchase completes the company’s multi-billion-dollar fleet transformation.
“Flying the youngest fleet is the most readily available and significant lever towards decarbonising long-haul aviation,” Weiss stated.
The A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, can fly up to 7,200 nautical miles non-stop. It features the Airspace cabin design, which Airbus says offers improved passenger comfort and amenities.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed Virgin Atlantic’s decision, noting the A330neo’s operational efficiency and contribution to the airline’s sustainability goals.
Virgin Atlantic has operated over 60 Airbus aircraft since 1993. The A330 Family has received 1,798 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide, including 319 A330neo orders from 30 customers, according to Airbus.
The manufacturer reports that all its aircraft can currently operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with plans to increase this to 100% by 2030.
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