(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar Airways (QA) yesterday received the first of its 80 A350 XWB aircraft on order at Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France.
This was announced by Akbar Al Baker, QA's Group Chief Executive in a press conference attended by over 150 members of international media who had travelled from all corners of the globe to witness the delivery of the Airbus' most modern and fuel efficient extra-wide-body airliner (A350 XWB) to its global launch customer, QA.
Present at the ceremony were Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO, Airbus, and Tony Wood, President - Aerospace from Rolls Royce, and Qatari Ambassador to France Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, witnessing the arrival of QA's first A350 XWB aircraft, a statement said.
Al Baker highlighted QA's rapid expansion plans, boosted by the arrival of this latest aircraft type.
The day was filled with cultural high notes. The audience was swept away by a special performance by musicians from the Orchestra National du Capitole de Toulouse under the direction of Pierre Bleuse.
Renowned calligraphy artist Faouzia Hilmy captivated guests with sand artistry and poetry about friendship by Al Buhtari, a famous Arabic poet from the 9th century.
Hiba Al Kawas, Grand Dame of Arabic opera singing and composing, performed a popular Arabic folk song that mirrors the high regard for culture and classical music Qatar has supported for years.
The media team was taken on a short flight on board A350, overlooking the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France.
Al Baker said: "Today marks a momentous occasion in the history of our airline. Not only are we welcoming a new aircraft type into the QA fleet, but as global launch customer for A350 XWB, we are receiving the newest and most modern aircraft the world will see for at least another decade.
"Our order for 80 of this aircraft has enabled Airbus to create an aircraft that not only considers every aspect of passenger comfort, but also features the cutting-edge light-weight carbon composite design, which allows fuel consumption and noise to be reduced, along with many leading features.
"I am confident that with our passenger insight, the aircraft will be the footprint for all future aircraft design with regard to technological advancements and the passenger journey."
Bregier said: "Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customers' needs.
"The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly."
The A350 XWB will comprise a two-class configuration with 36 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80-inch fully flat beds and 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment screens.
Economy Class will comprise 247 seats, each 18-inch wide in a 3-3-3 configuration, with up to a 32-inch pitch.
Each individual seat will feature a 10.6-inch in-flight entertainment screen, and more space at shoulder level for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.
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