The first of 18 Airbus A350s for British Airways’ first Airbus 350 has arrived at London Heathrow.
The aircraft is the first of four of the new aircraft joining the fleet before the end of the year.
The new aircraft will have 331 seats in a three class configuration.
The A350 features the airline’s newest generation business class seat. The 56-seat Club World cabin will have the ‘Club Suite‘ with direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Each suite has 40 per cent more storage than the current seat, includes a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC / USB power.
The three-cabin A350 features the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits, enhanced service and improved dining. The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats.
The airline released a video showing the aircraft being made.
Routes and dates
The first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to familiarise with the aircraft.
From September, the aircraft will begin long-haul flying to Dubai, followed by services to Toronto, Tel Aviv and Bangalore this year. During this period another three A350 aircraft will join the British Airways fleet and two Boeing 777 aircraft will also be retrofitted with the new cabin.
2020 will see British Airways start rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.
N.B. Image credits: British Airways