European flights without layovers let you sleep an extra hour! China Airlines A350 test flight successful and ready to go

▲ The new China Airlines A350 test flight went smoothly. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

Reported by Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei

China Airlines’ first A350 aircraft successfully completed its test flight in Toulouse, France on the 14th. Once all ground and flight tests are completed, it will officially join the China Airlines fleet on the 30th of this month. The airline plans to deploy the aircraft on long-haul routes to Amsterdam, Vienna, and Rome as early as the end of this year, featuring non-stop services that give passengers one more hour of sleep and a brand-new, comfortable flying experience.

China Airlines is the first among national carriers to introduce the A350 aircraft. The cabin design of the new plane continues the NexGen next-generation style, offering 32 “Premium Business Class” seats, 31 “Premium Economy Class” seats, and 243 “Economy Class” seats, totaling 306 seats across three classes. The first A350 underwent final assembly, full-body painting, engine and cabin installation at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, was unveiled at the end of August, underwent ground tests in early September, and successfully completed its maiden flight, soaring over Toulouse. It will then undergo final ground and flight tests, and will be officially delivered once everything is ready. Airbus is scheduled to deliver the first A350 to China Airlines on September 30, with three more to follow by the end of this year.

▲% The interior of the A350 revealed. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

China Airlines has ordered a total of 14 A350-900s, which will be used for long-haul routes to Europe as well as some regional routes. The A350-900 will become the newest member of China Airlines’ Airbus fleet. After delivery, the A350 will initially operate regional routes such as Hong Kong, with plans to deploy it on long-haul routes to Amsterdam, Vienna, and Rome as early as the end of this year, featuring non-stop services that give passengers one more hour of sleep.

The A350 XWB is the latest generation of commercial aircraft and the newest member of the Airbus wide-body aircraft family, known for its modern features, comfort, and efficiency. The A350 XWB boasts the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon-fiber fuselage and wings, along with the fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. These advanced technologies deliver optimal operational efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions by a quarter while significantly lowering maintenance costs.