Airlines Aeroflot takes delivery of first Airbus A350-900

A delivery ceremony was held at Airbus´ delivery facilities in Toulouse, France. As flag-carrier of Russia, Aeroflot is the first airline in Eastern Europe and CIS to receive an A350 XWB aircraft. The carrier is expected to receive 22 A350-900s in total.

Aeroflot´s A350-900 is configured to accommodate 316 passengers. 28 people can be welcomed in Business Class, 24 in Comfort Class with extra legroom and 264 in Economy Class, where latest-generation in-flight entertainment systems, HD screens and Wi-Fi connectivity has been installed.

After testing the aircraft on domestic routes like Moscow-St. Petersburg, Aeroflot will use the A350s on routes from Moscow to London, Dubai, New York, Miami, Osaka and Beijing. The aircraft will further modernize the carrier´s fleet and will better the overall operational performance.

Back in June 2007, Airbus announced the order for the 22 A350s. Since then, the manufacturer has delivered nearly 350 aircraft. 310 A350-900s have been delivered and 39 of the larger version, the A350-1000. The A350 has proved itself on long-haul routes for carriers around the world.

Regarding the A350, Airbus wrote in a statement: "The A350 XWB offers by design unrivalled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments - up to ultra-long haul (9,700 nm). Its Airspace by Airbus cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle aircraft and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight flying experience. The aircraft features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.  Together, these latest technologies result in 25% lower operating costs, as well as 25% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared with previous-generation competing aircraft – demonstrating Airbus’ commitment to minimise its environmental footprint while remaining at the cutting edge of air travel."

Aeroflot is already using several Airbus aircraft. The operator flies with 74 Airbus A320s, 33 A321s and 19 A330s. Furthermore, 48 Boeing 737s, 19 B777s and 54 Sukhoi Superjet 100 belong to the fleet. Aeroflot was established in 1932, is the flag-carrier of Russia and member of the Skyteam Alliance.