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Qatar Airways takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

written by Gerard Frawley | February 21, 2018

It's a bird, no it's Qatar Airways' first Airbus A350-1000. (Airbus)
It’s a bird, no it’s Qatar Airways’ first Airbus A350-1000. (Airbus)

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000.
The official handover ceremony took place on Tuesday (European time) at Airbus’s headquarters in Toulouse, France.
Airbus posted the official delivery ceremony on its YouTube channel:

The aircraft, A7-ANA, is the first of 37 A350-1000s Qatar Airways has on order. It is powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

Qatar Airways is the launch customer of the Airbus A350-1000. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways is the launch customer of the Airbus A350-1000. (Airbus)

The first A350-1000 was due to be delivered in December 2017. However, issues with cabin finishings pushed back the event until February 20.
Qatar’s A350-1000 is configured with 327 seats comprising 46 in business and 281 in economy.
The business class QSuites features an innovative new seat design which is already flying on a number of Qatar’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Passengers have the option to have a set of four seats face each other so those travelling in a group can conduct meetings, socialise or share a meal together, while still providing the now-standard flatbed and direct aisle access for every passenger in business class.
Doha-London Heathrow will be the launch route for the aircraft.
“Qatar Airways always demands the very best for its customers, so it is right that we are the first airline in the world to fly the Airbus A350-1000,” Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said in a statement,
“This remarkable state-of-the-art aircraft will become a firm part of Qatar Airways fleet and will keep us ahead of the curve, allowing us to continue to offer our passengers outstanding levels of comfort and service”.
Airbus Commercial Aircraft president Fabrice Brégier said there was huge pride at the company following the delivery of the aircraft to Qatar Airways.
“Bringing major advantages in fuel and cost efficiency along with unmatched passenger comfort, the A350-1000 is the ideal aircraft to showcase Qatar Airways’ legendary customer service,” Bregier said.
“With its greater capacity compared to the A350-900, the newest widebody will play a major role on the carrier’s busiest long-haul routes and will contribute to strengthen their position at the forefront of the aviation industry.”
The Doha-headquartered carrier was also the launch customer of the A350-900.
In an Australian context, Qantas is particularly interested in the A350 design for its Project Sunrise requirement for an aircraft capable of flying nonstop from the east coast of Australia to both London and New York (for which Boeing is expected to offer a development of its Boeing 777-8X).

Airbus Commercial Aircraft president Fabrice Bregier and Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker. (Airbus)
Airbus Commercial Aircraft president Fabrice Bregier and Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways' Airbus A350-1000 takes off at Toulouse. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways’ A350-1000 takes off at Toulouse. (Airbus)

Airbus recently showcased the A350-1000 to Qantas, with MSN065 F-WLXV spending two days in Sydney as part of a world tour. The aircraft was also be demonstrated to Air New Zealand in Auckland, while in the past Virgin Australia has also shown interest in Airbus’s newest widebody design.
The A350-1000 is 73.78m in length, 6.98m longer than the A350-900, and is designed to fly 7,950nm carrying 366 passengers, 41 more passengers than the A350-900 which is already flying with a number of airlines.
While Airbus’s solution for the Project Sunrise mission seems likely to be based on the 9,7000nm range A350-900ULR, which has been ordered by Singapore Airlines to operate nonstop from Singapore to New York, the high degree of commonality between A350 variants means the A350-1000’s visit was a timely one for Qantas technical and operational staff as the airline appraises its options for the demanding ultra long-haul mission.
To date Airbus holds 854 orders firm orders for the A350, of which 146 had been delivered by the end of January. Of those, 169 orders are for the A350-1000.

Qatar Airways' first Airbus A350-1000 lit up at Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways’ first A350-1000 lit up at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker talks with reporters on board the airline's first Airbus A350-100. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker talks with reporters on board the airline’s first A350-100. (Airbus)

No airline in Oceania has ordered the A350, although the A350-900 twin is an increasingly common sight at local airports thanks to services operated by Cathay Pacific (Auckland, Christchurch (seasonal), Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth), Qatar Airways (Adelaide), Singapore Airlines (Brisbane and Melbourne) and Thai Airways (Melbourne).

Projection mapping technology illustrates the Doha skyline on the fuselage of Qatar Airways' first Airbus A350-1000. (Airbus)
Projection mapping technology projects the Doha skyline onto the fuselage of Qatar Airways’ first A350-1000. (Airbus)

Qatar Airways posted a behind the scenes video of the making of its first A350-1000 on its YouTube channel:

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Comments (9)

  • Scott

    says:

    Now that’s an unveiling, product match’s the hype. First one to fly.

  • Brad

    says:

    A350 is proving a very popular aircraft with both airlines and pax. It offers ability to provide great passenger experience across all classes.
    Given 777 is a little bit big for VA, you’d think it will be very attractive for them when they come to replace the 77Ws in 5 or 6 years. Of course, the 787 will also be on offer but its Economy Class product is typically pretty ordinary unless you are going to go 8 abreast at which point the economics of the plane start to fall apart.

  • Geoffherbert

    says:

    Great aircraft. If only they would waste a little profit by givng cattle like myself a better cabin experience. Tackle long haul flight boredom. Get us out of our seats with tickets to a (coffee) bar… decorate the walls.. employ flight hosts not just waiters, run an online competition.. breaK up the back cattle section with an additional cabin dividing wall, provide an exercise space and suggest leg exercises…make sure the captain can talk English or employ cabin staff to speak for him/her.

  • Scott

    says:

    @Brad totally agree with you.
    They need the A350-900.

  • Lechuga

    says:

    Love the look of the -1000. Hope Qatar use it to Melbourne on their second daily flight (whenever it’s announced)

  • Burns Smith

    says:

    Will the Sydney Canberra Doha sector see the a350-1000?

  • Darren

    says:

    It’s a beauty

  • john russell

    says:

    Without doubt, the best of the best, It just shows what airlines can do if they try. How I wish Qatar or Singapore airlines ran BA.

  • CMC

    says:

    About time …flying Business Class to Perth has not been a great experience in past ….CMC

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