TOULOUSE- UAE flag carrier Emirates Airlines (EK) first Airbus A350 aircraft registered as A6-EXA operated its longest test flight on October 22, 2024, at Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS).
Emirates has placed an order for around 65 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The Dubai-based carrier will receive five A350s by the end of 2024. Further, it will operate a fleet of ten aircraft by March 2025. By 2027, the Emirates will likely have 50 A350s if all goes as planned.
Emirates A350 Test Flight
The aircraft A6-EXA was spotted by Clément Alloing and he reported that this was the longest test flight operated by the aircraft.
According to aviation.flights data this is the fourth test flight of A6-EXA aircraft.
As per FlightRadar24 tracking site data, Emirates’ first A350 operated the fourth test flight as AIB04GA and it took off from Toulouse at 10:49 AM and landed safely back at TLS at 5:36 PM local time.
The aircraft operated its maiden test flight on September 25, 2024, however, it is yet to be delivered to Emirates.
Third-Time Delayed Schedule
Emirates has updated its A350-900 service launch timeline, with the first aircraft delivery now scheduled for November 2024. The airline’s initial A350 revenue service will commence on December 16, connecting Dubai (DXB) to Edinburgh (EDI), marking a significant network expansion.
The Dubai-Edinburgh route, originally planned for a November 4 launch with the A350-900, will temporarily operate using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. This adjustment represents Emirates’ return to the Scottish capital following a four-year hiatus, Simple Flying reported.
The first A350-900, designated to carry the registration A6-EXA, faced delivery delays from its initial August timeline to November. This postponement has prompted multiple revisions to the airline’s service introduction plans, including the previous September 15 Dubai-Bahrain inaugural flight that was subsequently canceled.
Emirates’ A350-900 will feature a three-class configuration accommodating 312 passengers. The layout comprises 32 business class flatbeds arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across eight rows, 21 premium economy recliners, and 259 economy seats.
Why is the Emirates A350 EIS getting Delayed?
Emirates faces extended delivery timelines for its Airbus A350 fleet, pushing the initial 2023 delivery schedule into late 2024. While these delays affect Emirates’ fleet expansion strategy, they remain less severe than the ongoing Boeing 777X situation, OMAAT flagged.
The delivery postponements may stem from cabin-related challenges rather than manufacturing delays. Emirates’ A350s introduce a new cabin configuration, requiring extensive certification processes and precise fitting of interior components.
Emirates has confirmed a three-class layout for its A350 fleet. The business class cabin will feature Safran-manufactured seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, potentially mirroring the recently unveiled 777 business class design, which adapts the A380’s seating with minor enhancements.
The installation of business class seats across different aircraft types presents technical complexities. Each aircraft model requires specific modifications and certifications, potentially contributing to the extended delivery timeline.
Feature Image by Clément Alloing (@CAlloing) / X
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