Today marked the delivery of a brand new type to Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet – the Airbus A350-1000.
While Ethiopian already has a fleet of the smaller A350-900, this new variant is set to introduce greater capcity and an enhanced passenger experience for the airline’s customers.
It is also the first A350-1000 delivered to any carrier in Africa.
Ethiopian’s First A350-1000
The first aircraft delivered to Ethiopian Airlines has the registration ET-BAW and serial 691.
It has a total capacity of up to 395 passengers, with the airline’s largest Business Class cabin on any aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines will also introduce Airbus’ new HBCplus satcom connectivity solution, offering seamless, high-speed gate-to-gate connectivity.
The aircraft was handed over at a ceremony in Toulouse on 5th November, with a delivery flight to Addis Ababa Bole International shortly after. It wears special ‘First A350-1000 in Africa’ decals.
The aircraft in its delivery flight, transported a payload of medical supplies valued at over 100,000 Euros, generously donated to the Ethiopian Airlines Foundation by Aviation Sans Frontières in collaboration with Airbus.
Plans for Ethiopian’s A350-1000 Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines plans to add three more A350-1000s over the coming months, along with 11 more A350-900s.
The airline is expected to fly its A350-1000s on its routes to London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt and Washington Dulles.
