Cathay Pacific and inflight connectivity on A350s.

The lack of inflight connectivity at Cathay Pacific has been surprising to some given the carrier’s well-established premium position.

Source: Airbus

But 5 years after signing a memorandum of understanding with Panasonic Avionics for Ku service fleet-wide, Cathay is poised to finally break into the connectivity space in 2016 with its Airbus A350s.

Yet the Hong Kong-headquartered carrier remains conservative; it questions whether a consistent experience can be offered, whether passengers will pay for it, and whether connectivity will even be profitable.

Source: Cythia Drescher

“The feedback we’re getting is that the experience is often disappointing,” Cathay GM product Toby Smith remarked earlier in the summer.

“We want to make sure when we launch it that we don’t raise expectations and people go ‘It’s too slow and it keeps dropping off.’”

Source: Cythia Drescher

Cathay included connectivity on its specification for the A350-900 along with Panasonic’s eX3 embedded IFE and eXW wireless IFE.

The first -900 is due to be delivered to Cathay in February/2016.

Source: Airbus

Smith expects the carrier’s Panasonic Ku connectivity trial to commence once Cathay has a few A350s; 12 are expected by the end of 2016.

It is not uncommon for airlines to commit to offering connectivity without a full business plans.

Source: Airbus

But Cathay wants first-hand experience before making a deeper commitment. “Let’s get a clearer picture on our own passengers on our own fleet rather than listen to industry speak,” Smith said.

The trial will give Cathay insights on take rates and what exactly passengers use inflight connectivity for.

With concerns about connectivity’s reliability, passenger demand and costs, Cathay expects its Ku trial to guide the carrier about further deployment and what the business model should look like.

Source: DN280

It is not a passing decision: “We need to understand the value because we could choose to make significant investments in other aspects of the customer experience,” Smith said.

Consistency – a hallmark of the airline – is also a factor. “We’re always trying to deliver a consistent customer experience. We need to take that into consideration,” Smith said.

“If we have 5 flights a day to London, 2 of which might in the future be operated by the A350 and 3 by the 777, we don’t want passengers to go ‘Oh which flight should I take because this one has it and this one doesn’t?’”

Even so, the carrier expects the service to be unprofitable. “It’s an investment in the customer experience,” Smith said.

Based on the article “Cathay Pacific says A350 connectivity trial will determine rollout” published in Runway Girl Network

Singapore Airlines will fit different cabin configurations in their A350s.

Singapore Airlines' first tranche A350s will be fitted with business class, premium economy (2-4-2) and economy seating (3-3-3), but not first class.

Source: Jujug Spotting

"It will be only 3 classes, because of the size of the plane you cannot fragment it too much," said Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial, Mak Swee Wah.

Source: Getty Images

However, SQ exec Mak said that later A350 deliveries could include a 2-class version without premium economy and slated for medium-range flights where the ‘better than economy’ cabin has limited appeal.

Source: Australian Business Traveller

"The exact number of A350s for long-haul flights is still something to be pinned down but certainly the 1st batch that will come in will be earmarked for long-haul flights and will have premium economy."

Based on the article “Singapore Airlines to fly Airbus A350 to Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta” published in Australian Business Traveller.

Iberia will start receiving A350s on 2017

Iberia has this delivery schedule for the 16 A350-900s that has ordered:

2017: 2x
2018: 3x
2019: 3x
2020: 4x
2021: 4x

Iberia's capacity growth to 2020 will be driven by higher growth on Iberia's long haul network.

Iberia projected aircraft delivery dates at 24-Sep-2015. Source: CAPA

To facilitate this, in Aug/2015 IAG ordered 3 additional A330-200 aircraft for growth and 8 A350-900 aircraft as replacement capacity for Iberia through the exercise of previously negotiated options with Airbus.

Based on the article “Iberia: the Futuro looks bright for IAG's star pupil as its confidence and growth are transformed” published in CAPA

 

Some examples of the "Nordic Experience" details of the Finnair A350 XWB.

"With the Finnair A350, we want to offer the best of Nordic hospitality," said Juha Järvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Finnair.

"Our aim has been to consider every little detail, from the personalised service by our cabin crew to the details of the cabin design. The Finnair A350 experience is all about passenger comfort."

Starting when passengers board the plane that they are greeted by the sight of clouds drifting across a blue sky throughout the cabin.

Female passengers in Business class can take advantage of the dedicated Ladies' Room which is stocked with cosmetics and other supplies. And it has a special more powerfull lighting than in other aircraft toilettes.

Finnair went to renowned Finnish designer Vertti Kivi of dSign for its A350 cabin design, which is influenced by Nordic style and has 24 LED mood-lighting options, including a Northern Lights mode. 

The mood lighting is integrated with the in-seat IFE system, so lighting on individual screens matches the cabin light ambience.

The completely new state-of-the-art Nordic Sky seatback entertainment system has a wide selection of Hollywood blockbusters, classic movies and unique branded channels from the BBC, the National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel.

A highlight is that the entertainment system does not include games since Finnair considers that passengers prefer to play with their own portable devices.

Business class passengers enjoy full internet access free of charge, while Economy class passengers can purchase it either by the hour (5€/h.) or for the duration of the flight for 15€.

Kari Aihinen, Executive Chef de Cuisine of the renowned Savoy Restaurant in Helsinki, has designed the Business class menu. 

The A350 signature drink, Blue Sky, is a mix of French champagne and Finnish blueberry liquor.

Tableware and textiles specifically designed by iconic Finnish design house Marimekko for Finnair add a distinct and light Nordic touch to the cabin.

Based on the press release "Passenger comfort and a unique Nordic experience are at the heart of the Finnair Airbus A350 XWB"

2 Qatar A350s at Munich everyday starting on 1st of November.

After receiving the MSN8, Qatar is scheduling dual A350 Munich service starting on 1^st November.

Source: airbusboeingaviation

Previously, the A350 was scheduled to fly the QR057/058 Doha-Munich route from 1/October but it has been re-scheduled to start on 1/Nov, probably due to the delay on receiving the MSN8.

Source: MAS Spotters

QR057 will depart Doha at 08:35 and arrive in Munich at 12:45, with QR058 leaving Germany at 15:35 and land in Doha at 23:05.

Source: Munich Airport

On 1/Nov, Qatar will replace the two B787-8 Dreamliners that operate daily flights QR057/058 and QR059/060 with A350s.

Source: Clement Alloing

QR059 will depart Doha at 02:20 and arrive in Munich at 06:30, while QR060 will leave Munich at 10:15 and lands in Qatar at 17:45.

Officially launched the A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range)

Airbus has officially launched the new Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900.

The A350-900ULR can be reconfigured easily to the standard A350-900 long haul specification and incorporates a number of necessary changes over the standard A350-900.

These include a higher capacity fuel system within the existing fuel tanks, increasing fuel carrying capacity from 141.000 litres to 165.000 litres, but without installation of additional fuel tanks.

The A350-900ULR has an MTOW of 280 tonnes.

And Airbus has announced that there is an amendment to Singapore Airlines existing order for  63 A350-900s under which 7 of the aircraft will now be delivered with an Ultra-Long Range capability for non-stop flights to the US of up to 19 hours.

Deliveries of the carrier’s A350-900ULR aircraft are scheduled to take place in 2018.

Singapore Airlines has placed an additional order for 4 A350-900s, taking its total firm orders for the A350 XWB Family to 67.

In late July this year, Singapore Airlines - the largest customer for the A350 XWB in East Asia- cut from 70 to 63 its order –officially after a request by Airbus- and now they order 4 additional aircraft to reach an orderbook of 67 A350 XWB.

“Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

“This is another example of how we strive to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations by remaining at the forefront of product and service innovation in our industry. It will also further strengthen the Singapore hub by providing the fastest and most convenient air connectivity between North America and Southeast Asia.”

“We are excited to be working with Singapore Airlines to re-launch its premium non-stop service to the US,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO.

“The A350 is the perfect, flexible platform for such operations, offering unrivalled operating economics for the very longest routes. And the wider and quieter cabin will provide the perfect environment for passengers to enjoy the world-famous Singapore Airlines in-flight product.”

All pictures. Source: Marina Lystseva

Based on the press release “Airbus launches new Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900“

Singapore Airlines A350 1st long-haul route: Amsterdam from May/2016.

Singapore Airlines will take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in January/2016 with Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Amsterdam chosen as 1st routes for the next-generation jet.

 

The Star Alliance member and Virgin Australia partner revealed its plans for the A350 during a media briefing at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse.

 

 

 

Inaugural A350 commercial services will make short hops from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta for the purposes of crew familiarisation with the all-new aircraft through to April, before spreading its wings onto the 13 hour Singapore-Amsterdam route.

 

The airline expects to have at least 3 A350 jets in its fleet by April and 11 by years' end, out of a total of 63 orders and a further 20 options up its sleeve.

 

 

 

The A350 would give Singapore Airlines the “potential to open new routes, enhancing our network and further strengthening the Singapore hub" said Singapore Airlines' SVP Marketing Planning, Ms Lee Wen Fen.

 

 

 

All pictures. Source: Australian Business Traveller

 

Based on the article “Singapore Airlines to fly Airbus A350 to Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta” published in Australian Business Traveller.