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First
Ultra Long Range A350 XWB delivered to Singapore Airlines
Toulouse,
22nd September 2018 –
Airbus
has delivered the first A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR) aircraft to launch
customer Singapore Airlines (SIA). The aircraft is being prepared for flight and
is scheduled to depart Toulouse for Singapore later today.
The
latest variant of the best-selling A350 XWB is capable of flying further in
commercial service than any other aircraft, with a range of up to 9,700 nautical
miles, or over 20 hours non-stop. Altogether, SIA has ordered seven A350-900ULR
aircraft, configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94
Premium Economy Class seats.
SIA
will begin operating the A350-900ULR on 11th October, when it will
launch non-stop services between Singapore and New York. With an average flying
time of 18 hours and 45 minutes, these will be the world’s longest commercial
flights. Following New York, the aircraft will enter service with SIA on two
more non-stop transpacific routes, to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“This
is a proud moment for both Singapore Airlines and Airbus, not only because we
have again strengthened our partnership, but also because we have pushed the
limits with this highly advanced new aircraft to extend long-range flying to new
lengths,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon
Phong. “The A350-900ULR will bring more convenience
and comfort to our customers and will enable us to operate ultra-long-range
flights in a commercially viable manner. It will help us boost our network
competitiveness and further grow the Singapore hub.”
“Today’s delivery
is a milestone for Airbus and Singapore Airlines, as together we open a new
chapter in non-stop air travel,” said Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer,
Airbus. “With its unrivalled range and
step-change
in fuel efficiency, the A350 is uniquely placed to meet demand for new ultra
long haul services. The combination of the A350’s quiet, spacious cabin and
SIA’s world-renowned in-flight product will ensure the highest levels of
passenger comfort on the world’s very longest routes.”
The
A350-900ULR is a development of the A350-900. The main change over the standard
aircraft is a modified fuel system, enabling the fuel carrying capacity to be
increased by 24,000 litres to 165,000 litres. This extends the range of the
aircraft without the need for additional fuel tanks. In addition, the aircraft
features a number of aerodynamic enhancements, including extended winglets,
which are now being applied to all in-production A350-900 aircraft.
The
A350 XWB is the newest and most modern widebody
aircraft family, incorporating the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre
fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these
latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency,
with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, and
significantly lower maintenance costs.
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