Vietnam Airlines A350-900 first flight.
Vietnam Airlines A350-900 first flight. Picture courtesy Airbus.

Vietnam Airlines receives its first Airbus A350 XWB via AerCap

June 30, 2015 1 Comment 795 Views

National carrier Vietnam Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350 XWB, thus becoming the second airline in the world, after launch customer Qatar Airways, to operate the new generation aircraft. The airline has 10 A350 on direct order with the European airframer, and four with aircraft leasing companies.

At a special ceremony in Toulouse, the A350-900 was officially delivered to global lessor AerCap which has in turn leased the plane to Vietnam Airlines. With an order book of 945 Airbus aircraft, including 20 A350s, AerCap is the airframer’s largest customer.

The aircraft delivered today is manufacturer serial number (MSN) 014 indicating it is the 14th airframe built, but was the fifth to be delivered. Qatar Airways is operating four A350s to destinations like Frankfurt and Singapore. The first airframes were used by Airbus for test, validation, sales promotion, and other purposes.

Vietnam Airlines has configured its A350 in a three class configuration, but with no first class. Business class is 29 full flat seats, 45 seats in premium economy and 231 economy class seats.

The aircraft is scheduled to arrive in the capital Hanoi tomorrow and will enter service on July 3 performing a flight from Hanoi to the financial capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. The airline will continue operating the A350-900 on the Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City route for crew familiarisation with the new aircraft. Vietnam Airlines will then deploy the A350 XWB on non-stop flights between Hanoi and Paris.

First A350 for Vietnam Airlines enters final assembly.
First A350 for Vietnam Airlines enters final assembly.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines in flight.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines in flight.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines front view.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines front view.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines side view.
First A350-900 for Vietnam Airlines side view.

Video – making of the Vietnam A350

The airline has one of the more beautiful liveries in the world. Share your favourite liveries via a comment.

Vietnam Airlines has a fleet of 59 Airbus aircraft. 49 single aisle A321s and 10 wide-body A330s.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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One comment

  1. Vik
    June 30, 2015 at 20:14

    Definitely Vietnam has an amazing livery, but my favorite will always be AI’s premerger livery (I know a lot of people disliked it, but I thought it was beautiful) and the always classic A380 Malaysian livery. I also admit a soft spot for Thai’s, AI’s, and American’s current liveries.

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