Article from BTNews 26 FEBRUARY 2018
Qatar welcomes A350-1000
The world’s first commercial passenger Airbus A350-1000 touched down in Doha last week as Qatar Airways became the global launch customer for what has been described as the most advanced aircraft of its type, writes Andrew Sharp.
Its arrival at the airline’s home and hub followed a spectacular sound and light show in Airbus’ home city of Toulouse, a fitting send-off for a product with a range of special features including a cabin pressurised to 6,000ft for more passenger comfort.
There are 44 more seats than in the A350-900, partly because the aircraft is 23ft (7m) longer and partly from a redesign of the galley and trolley stowage areas. Business Class will feature the airline’s QSuite.
More than 50% of the aircraft's weight is accounted for by composites: this and the increased number of seats mean fuel burn, cost and carbon emissions are 25% lower than the aircraft the A350-1000 will be replacing.
The new Airbus model will go into full commercial service on the Doha – London route, on which the Airbus A350-900, the A380, Boeing B777 and B787 Dreamliner already operate, offering six flights a day between the two points.
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