Airlines Scandinavian Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A350 XWB

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has taken delivery of its very first Airbus A350 XWB. A delivery ceremony was held at Airbus´ headquarters in Toulouse, France.

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The first SAS Airbus A350-900 has been delivered to the Scandinavian airline. The aircraft, registered as SE-RSA, wears the manufacturer serial number 358 and represents the first milestone in SAS´s widebody-fleet modernization progress.

In total, SAS will take delivery of eight A350s, which are set to replace the aging fleet of Airbus A340-300s. Deliveries for the aircraft will take place until 2021. By then, it is expected that SAS has thrown out the A340s.

SAS has configured its A350-900s in a three-class variant with 300 seats. 40 passengers can be accommodated in SAS Business, 32 in SAS Plus and 228 in SAS Go. On January 28, 2020, SAS will start operating the new aircraft on the route from Copenhagen to Chicago. Until then, the carrier will test the aircraft on regional routes.

In addition to the A350s, SAS will also take delivery of 54 new Airbus A320neo Family in the coming years, which modernize the medium-haul fleet. Very soon, the airline could have one of the most modern fleets in Europe. Currently, SAS operates with 68 Airbus aircraft.

Next year, in September 2020, SAS will also put its first A321LR into service. The aircraft, which features a longer-range than the usual A321neo, is expected to provide SAS with more route options. The aircraft can be used for transatlantic long-haul routes, where an A330, A340 or A350 would have too much capacity.

Regarding the A321LR, Karl Sandlund, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer said: “This is an entirely new aircraft type for SAS, which is incredibly well suited to the Scandinavian market and emerging travel patterns to and from the region. It gives SAS an opportunity to offer travellers more intercontinental routes, fewer stopovers and shorter travel times to and from Scandinavia. The new aircraft is equipped with a service concept at par with the rest of SAS’ long-haul fleet, offering passengers all the benefits, level of comfort and choices of our traveling classes.”

SAS is the flag-carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and the largest airline in the three countries. The carrier was founded in August 1946

Source © airbus.com

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