The first Airbus A350-1000XWB for British Airways (BA/BAW) will arrive at London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) this Friday ahead of its entry into service with the airline.
G-XWBA is the first of 18 A350-1000XWB aircraft the airline has on order and the airline will formally accept the aircraft in Toulouse before the short flight to London.
Its first revenue service will be on the 5th August when it operates the London to Madrid service. The aircraft will operate long-haul flights for British Airways but will operate short-haul flights initially to help crews get used to working on the aircraft.
British Airways posted a video of G-XWBA after her maiden flight earlier this month.
We're one step closer to welcoming the first A350-1000 to our fleet with G-XWBA completing her maiden flight in Toulouse last week. Which destination would you like to see her fly to? #A350 #Airbus #FlyBA pic.twitter.com/7ZR3rZPxk2
— British Airways (@British_Airways) July 11, 2019
The Airbus A350-1000XWB is the latest addition to British Airways in the replacement of the long-haul fleet and joins the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Speaking about the impending arrival of the A350-1000XWB Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our £6.5 billion investment programme.“
Three more aircraft, G-XWBB, BC BD; will join the fleet by the end of 2019.
The aircraft will operate in a 3-class configuration carrying 331 passengers.
Mr Cruz added: “At British Airways we have one of Europe’s largest long-haul fleets and most far-reaching global networks, so it will take some time to make the cabin available to everybody. We hope that as more customers have the chance to experience it, they’ll enjoy travelling in it as much as we’ve enjoyed designing it.”