Air India owned by Tata Group launched its second airbus A350-900 on February 3rd, Saturday. It exhibits innovative design that focuses on flexibility and cost effective performance.
Features of Airbus A350-900
The aircraft is known for providing the best comfort environment to its passengers. With an overall length of 66.80m and height of 17.05m it can accommodate passengers up to 350 people. The cabins are more spacious and the seats have been made wider so that the everyone enjoys a smooth fly. With an unbeatable speed of 945km/hr. it can fly non stop up to more than 20hours and can cover a distance up to 9700 nautical miles.
For entertainment purpose it allows passengers to enjoy their flight while providing them access to movies, web, OTT and several other content over Wi-Fi via smooth connectivity. It features an entertainment system with well equipped HD Panasonic screens.
This craft has been built with regards to improve the environmental footprint. It consumes less fuel and carbon dioxide emissions per seat are produced in much smaller quantities. It has been considered as the most eco friendly aircraft manufactured till date.
When did the First A350 arrive?
It was on 23rd December that the airline, marking its significant breakthrough, welcomed the delivery of one of the 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The flight took off from Toulouse, France and landed at the Delhi Airport on Sunday.
Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated India’s and Air India’s first Airbus A350. It made its first public display in Wings India Global Aviation Summit held in Hyderabad. Senior Commander Captain Monika Batra Baidya, one of the first pilots of India to be trained in a350 was present on board.
The airline has planned to take a total of six A350 planes in the first phase. The remaining ones are to be delivered by March, 2024. For now, domestic flights will travel between Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
New strategies to enhance the trip
The airline is posing strong emphasis on extensive training for the pilots and have been devising to conduct domestic operations in the first few months. Besides, these the airline has planned to open up a huge training academy to train 500 pilots annually.
Amenity kits from brands like Ferragamo, Tumi have been arranged for all according to people travelling in business and economy classes. There will be separate royal treatment for the first-class guests like serving them in copper gold plates, Slovakian glassware etc. once the international operations of A350 commences. The long awaited new collection of uniforms for the cabin crew will be launched this January.
CEO’s Vision
“The A350 is a game-changer for Air India,” Campbell Wilson, chief executive officer and managing director, Air India, said. He views this aircraft as symbol of greater degree of comfort, innovation in technology, with priority to the environment and sustainability.
For further expanding its fleet Air India has also taken delivery of a320neo aircraft. It made a record order of 470 aircrafts last year marking it the largest single purchase in history. Air India has been soaring high with its business ambitions with an intention to revivify the country’s aviation sector.
List of Countries having Airbus A350-900
A total count of 578 a350-900 airbuses are in service as of December, 2023, with Singapore Airlines as the largest operator with 63 A350-900aircrafts in its fleet among all and Qatar airways at the second position with 53aircrafts. Followed by Cathay pacific (42), Delta Air Lines(28), Air China(27), and Lufthansa(21). The first A350-900 entered service with Qatar Airways on 15th January,2015.
