Thursday, 12 December 2024
Airlines

Emirates unveils first A350 aircraft, marking new era for fleet

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The first Airbus A350-941 for Emirates at Dubai International Airport. (Photo: Emirates)

Emirates has officially unveiled its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft at a special event in Dubai, marking the first new aircraft type to join the airline’s fleet since 2008.

The launch event, attended by industry leaders and government officials, showcased the A350’s advanced features and signaled a significant step in Emirates’ growth strategy.

The Emirates A350-900 will accommodate 312 passengers across three cabin classes: 32 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy, and 259 in Economy Class.

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the A350 introduces several innovative features across its cabin classes. Highlights include wireless charging in Business Class, a redesigned Economy Class seat with improved headrest, and a Premium Economy section that has already garnered multiple awards since its 2022 introduction.

“Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group.

“This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network,” he added.

The A350 will allow Emirates to expand its network to include destinations not previously suitable for larger aircraft, with Edinburgh scheduled as the inaugural destination on January 3, 2025.

Other planned destinations include existing GCC cities such as Bahrain, Muscat, and Kuwait; European cities Lyon and Bologna; and West Asian cities Colombo, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.

Emirates plans to operate the A350 in two configurations: one for regional routes and another for ultra-long-haul flights.

The A350 also introduces a range of technological advancements, including an upgraded ice inflight entertainment system with 4K HDR displays, faster Wi-Fi connectivity leveraging ViaSat’s Global Xpress network, and seamless online shopping through EmiratesRED.

The aircraft also features enhanced accessibility features for visually impaired passengers.

Emirates executives unveil the airline’s first Airbus A350. (Photo: Emirates)

Emirates emphasizes that the A350 is the quietest twin-aisle cabin aircraft, enhancing passenger comfort. Passengers across all classes will benefit from the airline’s award-winning inflight dining and beverage selection.

Airbus and Rolls-Royce, key partners in the A350 program, expressed their commitment to supporting Emirates’ growth and sustainability ambitions.

“We are proud to further expand our strategic partnership with Emirates,” said Phillipe Mhun, Executive Vice President Programmes & Services for Airbus.

Omar Ali Adib, SVP Customer – Middle East and Africa for Rolls-Royce, added, “The collaborative effort between Emirates, Airbus and Rolls-Royce exemplifies what can be achieved when we share a commitment to excellence.”

Emirates currently operates a fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, serving 140 destinations worldwide. The addition of the A350 is expected to further strengthen Emirates’ position in the global aviation market.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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