Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse. It is the first of 67 A350 aircraft on firm order, including seven of an ultra-long-range variant for which Singapore Airlines will be the launch customer.

Today’s significant milestone was marked by a ceremony in Toulouse attended by Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, Airbus Executive Vice President Head of Programmes, Mr Didier Evrard, Rolls-Royce President – Civil Aerospace, Mr Eric Schulz, as well as invited guests.

“The addition of the A350-900 exemplifies Singapore Airlines’ longstanding commitment to operate a young and modern fleet,” said Mr Goh at the delivery ceremony.

“The A350 will be a game-changer for us, allowing for flights to more long-haul destinations on a non-stop basis, which will help us boost our network competitiveness and further develop the important Singapore hub.”

Mr Goh added: “In addition to the latest technologies provided with the new aircraft, our customers will enjoy our latest-generation in-flight cabin products on the A350-900. This includes our award-winning Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class seats, as well as our highly advanced in-flight entertainment system, Krisworld.”

Singapore Airlines’ initial batch of A350s will be fitted with 253 seats in three classes, with 42 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy Class and 187 in Economy Class. Configuration details of A350-900s that will be used on medium-range flights as well as those that will be used for ultra-long-range flights will be announced at a later date.

With advanced technology and superior operating efficiency, the newest addition to the Airline’s fleet will offer customers an improved travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body and lighting designed to reduce jet lag.

The aircraft will initially be operated on flights within Asia for crew training purposes, after which it will be used for long-haul services to Amsterdam, from 9 May 2016. It will also be used for all-new services between Singapore and Düsseldorf, which are due to be launched in July this year, as well as on many more destinations in the Singapore Airlines network, details of which will be announced through the course of this year.

From 2018, an ultra-long-range variant of the A350 known as the A350-900ULR will be added to Singapore Airlines’ fleet, for the re-launch of the world’s longest non-stop flights, between Singapore and New York, as well as to Los Angeles and a third destination in the United States.