British Airways: The airline welcomed its first new A350 to the fleet this week.

 

The aircraft is the world’s most modern wide-bodied plane that has the most efficient large engine flying today.

 

Marking a significant and exciting milestone in the company’s £6.5 billion investment programme, the Airbus is an excellent showpiece for British engineering that has been designed for today’s traveller.

 

The A350 will promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to reduced noise levels – AV geeks are calling it the ‘hush-liner’ what with a whopping 40% reduction!

 

There’s high ceilings and ambient lighting onboard, which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light while travelling.

 

 

Flying on the aircraft will mean that passengers will leave feeling rested thanks to higher levels of humidity. The air in the cabin is refreshed every 2-3 minutes while the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet.

 

The environmental benefits include a 25% lower fuel burn, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Notably, the curved wing-tip features BA’s beautiful Chatham Dockyard flag.

 

It’s also the first aircraft within the airline’s entire fleet that features the newest generation business class seat, Club-Suite.

 

Seating arrangement onboard includes a three-class configuration, with 56-Club Suites in a 1-2-1 one formation. These new suites have doors for greater privacy, luxurious flat-bed seats and direct aisle access.

 

 

The latest World Traveller Plus cabin will have 56 seats in 2-4-2 configuration, with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience.

 

The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats (3-3-3). Travellers will also benefit from high-speed WiFi, allowing you to browse the internet on personal electronic devices.

 

There are a further 17 A350s on order, with four of the new aircrafts joining the fleet before the end of this year.

 

During phase one of the roll out in August, the first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to perfect their customer service delivery and familiarise cabin crew with the aircraft layout.

 

 

In phase two, which starts during 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.

 

At the start of 2020 phase three will begin which will see British Airways rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.

 

You can watch how British Airways’ A350 was made here:

 

 

Other good things to know about British Airways:

 

• It’s currently celebrating its Centenary: Keep an eye out for special deals on flights throughout the year!
• The current ‘selling from’ date for A350 long-haul flights is October 1^st
• Over the next five years British Airways will take delivery of 72 new aircraft, including four new types: The Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-10 for long-haul as well as A320 and A321 Neo aircraft for short-haul
• In addition to this the airline has also recently placed an order for 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft
• Over the last four years the airline has taken delivery of 57 new, fuel efficient aircraft, including A380s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners
• By 2020 British Airways will have received 100 new aircraft in less than a decade.

 

Other activity includes the airlines BA 2119 programme exploring the future of fuels, the customer experience of the future and aviation careers in the next 100 years.