Spanish carrier Iberia received its first Airbus A350-900 late last month during a ceremony at the manufacturer’s factory in Toulouse.
“This aircraft is a symbol of all the changes being made in Iberia,” said Luis Gallego, chairman and CEO. “In the past few years we transformed Iberia for the sake of survival. Now, we are undertaking a new transformation for the sake of excellence. And this aircraft perfectly represents this change of cycle.”
The A350-900 features advanced aerodynamics and a lighter, stronger structure thanks to extensive use of composite materials and redesigned wings, window frames and landing gear. These improvements contribute to roughly 25 percent lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions compared with previous-generation widebodies. Iberia’s version of the type seats 348 passengers and is the first of 15 A350s the airline will introduce to its fleet through 2021.
Cabin configuration includes 31 business-class seats, 24 premium-economy seats and 293 economy seats. The new interior layout gives travelers more personal space and larger overhead bins for carry-on luggage. Every seat is equipped with an individual entertainment screen, device charging ports and WiFi connectivity. Business-class customers benefit from wider aisles, 18-inch displays and additional legroom.
Passenger comfort is further enhanced by a draft-free ventilation system with ozone filtration, advanced temperature and humidity controls, larger panoramic windows and energy-efficient LED lighting. Noise levels are also lower than many comparable aircraft, contributing to a quieter cabin environment throughout the flight.
Iberia will deploy the A350-900 on short-haul European routes first: flights between Madrid (MAD) and London (LHR) and between Madrid and Paris (CDG) begin on July 20. Long-haul service to New York (JFK) is scheduled to start on August 4.