France’s national flag carrier has become the latest airline to take delivery of a popular passenger jet powered by Rolls-Royce engines made in Derby.
At a ceremony which took place at the Toulouse headquarters of Airbus, officials from Air France received the first of 28 A350-900 aircraft it has ordered, which will all be exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines.
The airline is planning to use its new A350 fleet on its transatlantic and Asia routes.
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The Air France A350s have been configured to have a three-class layout, with 324 seats, including 34 full-flat business, 24 premium economy and 266 economy class seats.
The A350 has been billed by Airbus as the world’s most efficient all new design wide-body aircraft, offering a 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions.
In a statement, Airbus said: “The A350 XWB offers by design unrivalled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments.
“Its Airspace by Airbus cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle aircraft and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight flying experience.
“The aircraft features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
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“Together, these latest technologies result in 25% lower operating costs, as well as 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared with previous-generation competing aircraft – demonstrating Airbus’ commitment to minimise its environmental impact while remaining at the cutting edge of air travel.”
To date, Airbus has received more than 900 firm orders for the A350 XWB family from over 50 customers worldwide.
Rolls-Royce is the exclusive engine supplier for the A350, with the Trent XWB produced at the engineering giant’s civil aerospace site in Sinfin, Derby.