Finnair’s First A350 XWB Makes its Maiden Flight
Toulouse, September 17, 2015: Finnair will become the first airline in Europe to operate the A350 XWB and the third operator in the world. Finnair has acquired a total of 19 Airbus A350 XWBs and will operate its fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Helsinki and Shanghai.
The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range aircraft family and the newest member of Airbus’ leading widebody family. The aircraft is powered by the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, generating 25% lower CO2 emissions (lowest carbon emissions of any wide body power plant). Exterior noise levels are 21 EPNdB (Effective Perceived Noise Decibel) below ICAO Chapter-4 requirements.
70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials combining composites (53%), titanium and modern aluminium alloys. Composite materials are corrosion and fatigue free resulting in easier maintenance; titanium is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant substitute for steel. The A350 XWB offers a 25% step change in fuel efficiency and a 25% lower seat-mile cost compared to current aluminium long-range aircraft.
The A350 XWB had received 782 Firm orders from 40 customers as of August 2015.
Source: Airbus