Emirates has taken delivery of its first ever Airbus A350 in Toulouse, France, as the airline prepares to fly the new aircraft to Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the next few hours.
On November 25, 2024, Emirates described the new addition as an “important fleet milestone” after some initial frustrations with rescheduled delivery dates.
The first of 65 A350-900 aircraft will depart Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) at 16:00 and is scheduled to arrive at its home in Dubai just before 02:30, local time.
Registered as A6-EXA, the Emirates Airbus A350 has been spotted over recent weeks in Toulouse carrying out rejected take off tests and completing its maiden flight.
First Airbus A350-900 for Emirates and smoking Rejected take off. Now ready for 1st flight. #Emirates #EmiratesA350 #airbus #A350 #avgeek #aviationdaily #planespotting pic.twitter.com/LZ2IkrALHC
— Eurospot (@cliper31) September 24, 2024
Emirates noted that the A350-900 delivery also marks the first new aircraft type to join its fleet since 2008.
The newest Emirates member will be powered by a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) when the aircraft makes its ferry flight.
The aircraft will officially enter commercial service in January 2025, when it makes its debut flight to its first destination, Edinburgh, followed by eight other destinations across the Middle East, West Asia and Europe.
The first 50 A350s ordered by Emirates were announced at the Dubai Airshow in 2019, with the carrier extending the purchase by 15 jets four years later in 2023.
The new Emirates Airbus A350-900 was seen publicly for the first time emblazoned with full fuselage colors in April 2024, and in January 2024, the fuselage of the same aircraft was spotted in parts during the production process.
And in March 2024, the completed plane was photographed with just its tail painted in the Emirates colors.
The inaugural A350 flight was originally scheduled to operate in September 2024, but this was then subsequently delayed until November 2024 due to ongoing delivery delays from Airbus, and then again until December 2024, before finally settling on January 2025.
Once the A350 lands in Dubai, the aircraft will receive its finishing touches at Emirates Engineering before being officially unveiled at a special event later this week.