Ethiopian Airlines Welcomes First Airbus A350-1000
The largest Airbus operator in Africa, enhances fleet with the first of four A350-1000s.
Ethiopian Airlines (ET), the largest Airbus operator in Africa, has received its first A350-1000 aircraft from Airbus in Toulouse, France.
Airbus notes that the A350-1000 is the first of its kind to be operated by an African-based airline, marking a significant milestone for Ethiopian Airlines.
The addition of the A350-1000 expands Ethiopian Airlines’ A350 Family fleet to 22 aircraft. Fourteen additional A350s are planned for future delivery, including eleven A350-900s and three more A350-1000s.
Enhanced Capacity and Passenger Experience
Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-1000 has a 395-seat capacity, comprising 46 business class and 349 economy class seats. This increased capacity will enhance the airline’s offerings on key routes such as Washington D.C., London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
The A350-1000 will introduce Airbus’ new HBCplus satcom connectivity solution, offering high-speed, gate-to-gate connectivity for passengers – enhancing the passenger experience with advanced technology.
Airbus highlighted the operational synergy between the A350-1000 and the A350-900 fleet. This shared platform will streamline training and maintenance processes for pilots and mechanics: “The A350-1000 will provide great operational commonality with the A350-900 fleet, ensuring seamless integration with shared pilots and mechanics simplifying training and maintenance processes.”
A350 and Sustainable Operations
According to Airbus, the A350-1000 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft in the 300-410 seater category.
Its clean-sheet design, advanced aerodynamics, and lightweight materials contribute to superior fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
The A350’s Airspace cabin is noted for being the quietest among twin-aisle aircraft, with a 50% noise footprint reduction compared to previous-generation aircraft. The aircraft’s new-generation Trent WXB engines further enhance its performance.
Airbus aims to make its aircraft, including the A350, 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) capable by 2030. Currently, the A350 can operate on up to 50% SAF blends.
