Iberia has taken delivery of its first A350-900 on June 26, at the Airbus factory in Toulouse.
The A350-900, registered as EC-MXV, and named for Plácido Domingo, is the first unit of its type boasting improved aerodynamic performance and structure, thanks to the use of a large proportion of composite material in its manufacture, along with a new design of some parts like the wings and window frames. The reinforced landing gear enables the airplane to take off with a maximum weight of up 280 tonnes. Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, each delivering 84,000 pounds of thrust, power the 348-seat aircraft.
The first commercial flights of the “Plácido Domingo” will be made on routes from Madrid to London and to Paris starting on 20 July. From the 4 August the new aircraft will be used for Madrid-New York flights.
The acquisition of the A350-900 is part of Iberia's fleet replacement and expansion programme which began in 2011. Since then, a total of 56 new aircraft have been ordered for the Spanish airline: eight A330-300s and 12 A330-200s have already entered service, and are to be joined by 16 A350-900s, and 20 A320Neos. Iberia has also renovated its 17 A340-600s, installing all-new cabin interiors, individual entertainment systems, and Wi-Fi connections.
The delivery of the first A350-900 also marks the launch of a new concept of airline operations management called eOperations. It allows the storage of flight documentation digitally on an electronic support, and to integrate on-board systems with Operations and lT infrastructure.
