OSLO, NORWAY, 2015-10-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Friday afternoon marked the first-ever visit to Norway by the new long-haul Airbus A350 XWB. Finnair is the first European airline to fly the A350 XWB, and marked the occasion at Oslo Airport.
On Wednesday, 7 October, Finnair took delivery of its first new long-haul Airbus, A350 XWB (eXtra Wide Body). On Friday, the aircraft made its first visit to Oslo Airport, coming from Helsinki.
The long-range aircraft will first be used on a number of regularly scheduled flights on Finnair’s European routes, as part of the airline’s programme to acquaint crews with the new plane.
“‘It’s obviously great fun for those of us who have a particular fondness for airplanes that Finnair is bringing its brand-new, ultra-modern aircraft here to Oslo,” says Joachim Westher Andersen, head of communications at Oslo Airport.
In cooperation with Finnair, Oslo Airport also invited ten plane spotters to an exclusive tour on board the aircraft.
“I think it was quite an experience for those who were invited, but I think the spotters on the other side of the fence also appreciated having a new airplane to add to their list,” says Westher Andersen.
A350 is Airbus’ spanking new long-haul aircraft, packed with the very latest technology. New engines and upgraded aerodynamics contribute to 25 per cent lower fuel consumption and emissions, while the advanced ventilation systems on board provide passengers with cleaner and fresher cabin air.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Finnair’s 92-year history. The A350 is a long-range airplane for the future, and it will provide our passengers with a brand-new and improved travel experience,” says Pekka Vauramo, Finnair’s CEO.
Good connections from OSL
Finnair has four daily departures from Oslo Airport to Helsinki and back, giving Norwegians ample opportunity to make use of Finnair’s ever-expanding routes.
“Finnair’s routes to Asia are particularly convenient for Norwegians, with frequent departures to Helsinki and short layovers before continuing on to connecting flights,” says Westher Andersen.
Finnair has 19 A350s on order. Four will be delivered this year, with another seven aircraft to follow during the course of 2016 and 2017. All 19 airplanes are scheduled to be flying by 2023 and Finnair’s ambition is to double traffic to Asia by 2020.
The new Airbus A350 is also an important part of the company’s air freight strategy. With its new fleet in place, the company will boost its freight capacity by 50 per cent by 2020.
Facts – Finnair’s A350 XWB
- Finnair has ordered 19 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft for delivery between 2015 and 2023
- Finnair’s A350 will have 297 seats – 46 in Business Class, 43 in Economy Comfort and 208 in Economy Class. The Business Class seats can be converted into completely flat beds, arranged in a 1-2-1 lay-out, so that all seats have direct aisle access. Economy Class is equipped with slimline-seats spaced 31-32 inches apart, in a 3-3-3-layout. Economy Comfort, at the very front in Economy Class, features four extra inches of leg-room.
- All of the planes will be equipped with Finnair’s prize-winning new cabin design, courtesy of dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, in shades of white, blue and silver/gray. Dynamic LED lighting allows cabin lights to shift throughout the flight, according to the time of day. The lighting can create a total of 24 different scenarios – including Northern Lights!
- All seats are equipped with personal TV screens with Finnair’s own Nordic Sky entertainment system featuring new Hollywood releases, film classics and TV channels including BBC, Discovery and National Geographic. For passengers looking for maximum relaxation, we recommend “The Peace of Mind Channel”.
- Business Class passengers, Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum members, as well as oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, have full free access to internet onboard, while passengers in Economy Class can purchase internet access by the hour or for the entire flight.
- Finnair’s A350 comes with its own signature drink, Blue Sky, a mix of French champagne and Finnish blueberry liqueur. The drink celebrates pristine Finnish nature and Toulouse in Southern France – home of Airbus and where the A350 was built.
CONTACTS
Joachim Westher Andersen
Press Contact
Head of Media
joachim.westher.andersen@osl.no
+47 91815614
+47 64812093
Lasse André Vangstein
Press Contact
Media Advisor / Press Spokesman
Media Relations
lasse.andre.vangstein@osl.no
+47 91815614
+47 64812093
SOURCE: Oslo Airport
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Finnair’s Airbus A350 XWB marks first-ever visit to Norway at Oslo Airport