Category: Airbus

Finnair Takes Delivery Of Its First Airbus A340-300E

Finnair took delivery from Airbus today of its first long-range A340-300E (E for Enhanced), the first of an initial order of three placed in December 2005. Since, Finnair has increased its order for Airbus long haul aircraft, adding seven A330/A340s and 11 A350XWBs. The A350XWB is Airbus’ latest medium capacity long range airliner and will join Finnair’s fleet in 2014.

The A340-300Es will replace Finnair’s MD11 fleet and will be put into service on its long-haul destinations to Asia. Finnair’s new A340-300E will accommodate 269 passengers in a very comfortable two-class cabin configuration (42 in Business, 227 in Economy).

Finnair started operating a pre-owned A340-300 in June 2006.

“With the new A340-300E in our fleet, we will be able to cope with our traffic growth and develop our Asian destinations while safeguarding a seamless transition towards the new generation A350s,” said Jukka Hienonen, CEO of Finnair.

“Finnair and Airbus’ partnership goes back a long time,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “It has been gratifying to witness Finnair’s development throughout the years and we thank them for their continued confidence in our products.”

Finnair already successfully operates a fleet of 30 Airbus Family aircraft, including 11 A319s, 12 A320s and six A321s and one pre-owned A340.

The A340-300E incorporates the newest technologies developed for the most recent Airbus long-range programmes: it features the latest flight deck equipment, provides increased passenger comfort and is equipped with four CFM International
CFM56-5C4 engines, significantly decreasing fuel burn and emissions.

A380 World Tour – Dates – Japan, Australia, Taiwan

Like posted recently, Airbus continues the Airbus A380 World Tour into the Asia-Pacific region.
Now here are the exact dates for the “MSN7” (F-WWJB) visits to Narita (Japan), Sydney (Australia), Taipei (Taiwan).

  • 4th – 6th June Narita (Japan)
  • 6th – 8th June – Sydney (Australia)
  • 8th – 10th June – Taipei (Taiwan)

Make sure to have your cameras ready! 😀

Further Information – Sydney
Parked at Hangar 96
June 06: Arrival 7.00 p.m
June 07: Departure 1pm – Return 2.30pm
June 08: Departure 8am

Qantas’ Airbus A380 gets suites, flat beds and revolutionary economy class seats

QANTAS’ first-class passengers will have private suites and business customers will get flat beds in the world’s biggest jetliner, industry sources said yesterday.

Economy passengers can also look forward to more comfort in new seats on the Airbus A380 aircraft, which is due to start flying to Melbourne late next year.

Airbus has announced an A380 demonstration model would visit Australia next month.

Qantas has ordered 20 super jumbos, which, typically, will have 525 seats over three classes.

It is believed first-class passengers will have private cubicles, while business class will feature a new Skybed that is fully horizontal.

The current Skybed is not completely flat.

Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said yesterday his airline’s A380 would have between 450 and 500 seats, allowing more room for passengers.

Mr Borghetti would not comment on the first and business-class plans, but said economy passengers could look forward to a more comfortable seat.

“It’s got unique features in it that currently don’t exist,” he said.

“The economy class seat probably has the biggest change that’s happened to such seats for two decades.”

Qantas expects to start A380 passenger services in October next year, with a Melbourne to Los Angeles flight.

The plane will also be used on the Sydney-LA route and on the Kangaroo route to London.

Source: http://www.news.com.au

First Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Paint Shop Done

Airbus has painted the first A380 destined to enter airline service with launch operator Singapore Airlines (SIA) later this year. Aircraft MSN003 emerged from the manufacturer’s Hamburg paint hangar following installation of its passenger cabin in March, and testing of the associated systems last month.

Several passenger windows in the forward lower deck have been blanked off, suggesting that SIA has opted for an innovative first-class cabin design.

SIA says 100 painters worked over four shifts to hand-polish the 3,100m2 of fuselage surface area. The painting process took 21 days.

Click here to view photos and read the full article

More Photos at SIA A380 Gallery

A380 showcase in India, Japan, Taiwan and Australia

Airbus is to showcase its A380 in Tokyo, Sydney and Taipei following its forthcoming visit to the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai.

Between 7 and 10 May the A380 will make its Indian debut, visiting a string of carriers including current prospects Jet Airways and Air India. Carcaillet indicates that this is more than a tentative visit. Kingfisher Airlines is Airbus’ only Indian A380 customer, with five A380-800s on firm order.

Carcaillet says that the aircraft will return from India and, following a planned appearance in Paris, will fly to Tokyo in June. From Japan it will fly on to Sydney, returning via Taipei to visit China Airlines.

Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy says: “Over the next 9-12 months several trips around the world are planned to showcase the A380 to difference airlines.”

Source: Flightglobal