The first A350-900 XWB ordered by China Airlines has completed assembly and is now in the process of having cabin seating installed and aircraft livery applied. Delivery is scheduled for July this year; assembly of the second new A350 has also begun. After visiting the Airbus plant at Toulouse on 7th April to view the new aircraft being assembled, China Airlines Chairman Huang-Hsiang Sun expressed his satisfaction with progress. The 14 new A350 aircraft will create four key advantages for China Airlines. They will not just rejuvenate the China Airlines fleet but also usher in a new era of innovation in Taiwan's aviation industry.

 

Chairman Sun stated that four A350 aircraft will be delivered this year and bring four key advantages for China Airlines: The first advantage is a younger fleet with an average age of 3.6 years for passenger aircraft on long-haul routes; the second is better aircraft fuel economy because the A350 offers increased capacity via a 17% reduction in fuel consumption. Each aircraft will therefore save TWD 70 million a year; the third key advantage is faster nonstop flights by A350s to Amsterdam and Rome, eliminating the stopovers that used to add 4 hours to travel time; the fourth is a more European style that draws on the five senses to convey the cultural ambiance of Europe as well as youth, fashion, innovation and refinement.

 

The China Airlines A350 is configured for 306 seats divided among three cabin classes, Premium Business (32 seats), Premium Economy (31 seats) and Economy Class (243 seats) with Family Couch. This is more than the 276 seats available on the A340s now in service; the 14 A350-900XWB will join the 10 B777-300ER as the mainstays of China Airlines' long-haul services.

 

China Airlines plans to begin flying the new A350 aircraft to Amsterdam, Rome and Vienna in December. By that time, there will be three weekly flights to Vienna, four weekly flights to Amsterdam and two weekly flights to Rome. The Frankfurt route will also increase to seven flights a week in June for a total of 16 flights from Taipei to Europe a week and at least two nonstop flights a day. This will make China Airlines the top airline for nonstop flights from Taiwan to Europe.

 

The 14 Airbus A350-900 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) are the most high-tech, eco-friendly, energy-saving, spacious and quietest aircraft in the world. To emphasize the unique brand identity of China Airlines and maintain NexGen styling, the A350 cabin exploits the five senses to create a European ambiance. Mood lighting tailored to the seasons and passenger activities, urban chic boarding/disembarkation music, unique timber-toned cabin fragrance as well the "Sky Bistro" European in-flight cuisine will make passengers feel as if they are surrounded by European culture. They will also feel the youth, energy, fashion and innovation of the China Airlines brand for themselves. (2016/04/10).