Fiji Airways’ newest wide-body plane, the Airbus A350 XWB (billed by Airbus as “the world’s most modern all-new wide-body aircraft”) will fly into Sydney tomorrow before being deployed on the airline’s Nadi-Sydney and Nadi-Los Angeles routes.
It’s the first of two A350 XWBs ordered by Fiji Airways. The plane (a variant of the A350-900) was delivered following a ceremony in Toulouse. Both aircraft, delivering new levels of fuel efficiency, are being leased from Dubai-based DAE Capital. The aircraft are the first to be directly purchased by DAE Capital from Airbus.
Fiji Airways will operate the A350 XWB on its Nadi-Los Angeles and Nadi-Sydney routes. This will further boost the airline’s position as a leading carrier from the South Pacific region, as well as to contributing to the ongoing growth of Fiji’s tourism sector and wider economy.
Configured in a two-class layout with 334 seats including 33 full flat business and 301 economy class seats, 39 of which are designated as BULA SPACE seats with extra legroom, passengers will enjoy new levels of space and comfort as well as Thales in-flight high-definition entertainment systems.
Fiji Airways currently operates a fleet of six A330 Family and will benefit from the common type rating with the A350 XWB which allows pilots and crews to operate on both aircraft types.
The A350 XWB offers by design unrivalled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments up to ultra-long haul (15,000km). It features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines.
This group photo marking delivery of Fiji Airways’ first A350-900 includes: Rajesh Punja, Chairman of the Board of Fiji Airways; Andries Viljoen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Airways; The Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fiji’s Attorney General and Minister responsible for Civil Aviation; Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer; Dave Houlihan, President of DAE CAPITAL; Jacqueline Sutton – Senior Vice President – Rolls-Royce; and Patrick Piedrafita, Head of A350 XWB Program. Photo: Airbus
Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions. The A350 XWB’s Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience.
At the end of October 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 913 firm orders from 50 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever.
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