Emirates has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft, which will be operated on both medium and long-haul routes from January 2025.
The carrier’s A350-900 features three cabin classes, with 32 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 259 seats in economy class.
The new aircraft, the first of 65 that the Dubai-based carrier has on order, will make its first scheduled commercial flight to Edinburgh on 3 January 2025, two months after the previously announced November 2024 launch date.
It will then be used on regional routes to Bahrain, Muscat and Kuwait as well as on routes to Lyon and Bologna in Europe, and Colombo, Mumbai and Ahmedabad in West Asia in addition to “new travel opportunities that are up to 15 hours from Dubai”, the carrier said.
Emirates Group chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the aircraft’s delivery will “usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth”.
“This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve,” he said.
The carrier said the A350, the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008, will allow it to expand its network to new destinations, including mid-sized airports unsuitable for larger aircraft. The A350 will be delivered in two versions – one for regional routes and one for ultra long-haul routes.
The aircraft can operate with up to 50 per cent alternative aviation fuel (also known as sustainable aviation fuel or ‘SAF’), according to Airbus. The aircraft manufacturer is aiming to have its aircraft capable of operating with up to 100 per cent SAF by 2030.