Emirates has taken delivery of its first A350-900

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA     Image : Emirates

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 from Airbus at Toulouse.

Emirates has officially unveiled the first Airbus A350-900 aircraft in its fleet at an exclusive showcase event in Dubai.

The event was attended by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, as well as guests, aviation partners, government officials and dignitaries, media and aviation enthusiasts. Guests experienced the aircraft interiors featuring next-generation products and the latest technologies.

The Emirates A350 features 312 seats across three spacious cabins, including 32 next-generation lie-flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy Class seats and 259 spacious Economy Class seats. The latest onboard products reflect Emirates’ commitment to providing a premium passenger experience and optimizing operational efficiency. The Emirates A350 is the first new aircraft type to be introduced to the Emirates fleet since 2008.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we unveil our first A350 aircraft, ushering in a new era in the development of our fleet and network. This aircraft will help us make our route network wider, more efficient and more flexible, allowing us to meet customer needs in new markets and explore new opportunities in existing markets, laying the foundation for Emirates' future growth. On board, our upgraded interior and seat layout will help us provide passengers in all classes with a better and more comfortable flying experience. In the next few years, we will have 65 A350 aircraft joining the Emirates fleet, which is in line with Emirates' long-term planning, supporting the Dubai D33 strategy set by our visionary leaders. This strategy will make Dubai a key hub for the global economy by expanding the city's connectivity and influence."

Phillipe Mhun said: “We are proud to further expand our strategic partnership with Emirates, which has flourished over the past nearly 40 years, starting with the A300, A330, A340 and A380. The A350 marks a new chapter in the relationship between Airbus and Emirates and we look forward to the A350 becoming one of the core aircraft in the Emirates fleet, supporting its continued growth and sustainability goals.”

Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Rolls-Royce, said: “The collaborative work between Emirates, Airbus and Rolls-Royce demonstrates what can be achieved when we share a common commitment to excellence and build a strong long-term partnership that allows all parties to grow together. With our £1 billion investment in the durability of the Trent family of engines, we are committed to continued technological innovation and performance improvements in the years to come.”

In addition to the new A350 deliveries, Emirates currently flies two aircraft types, the Boeing 777 widebody and the iconic Airbus A380, to more than 140 destinations across its global network. The introduction of the A350 into the fleet means Emirates can now fly to new global destinations, including medium-sized airports that cannot accommodate larger aircraft. The Emirates A350 will be available in two versions, one for regional routes and the other for ultra-long haul routes.

Emirates plans to fly its first scheduled commercial flight to Edinburgh on 3 January 2025 with the A350. In the coming months, passengers can expect to experience the Emirates A350 in existing GCC destinations such as Bahrain, Muscat and Kuwait, Lyon and Bologna in Europe, Colombo, Mumbai and Ahmedabad in West Asia, and new travel opportunities to other destinations within 15 hours of Dubai will be announced in 2025.