FlightGlobal
• David Kaminski-Morrow
Airbus is installing a new flight-test instrumentation station on its A350 freighter, adapting equipment previously used on the long-range A350-1000ULR. The move comes as test crews use simulations to prepare for the A350F’s first flight and the start of its flight-test campaign.
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Airbus A350
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Airbus is installing a new flight-test instrumentation station on its A350 freighter, adapting equipment previously used on the long-range A350-1000ULR. The move comes as test crews use simulations to prepare for the A350F’s first flight and the start of its flight-test campaign.
Iberia has received authorization to perform comprehensive, end-to-end maintenance on its Airbus A350 fleet. The approval is notable because it was granted without limitations, expanding the Spanish flag carrier’s ability to manage the aircraft’s maintenance requirements in-house.
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Etihad Airways has revealed a four-seat First Class cabin for its incoming Airbus A330-900s, with the suites more closely resembling the carrier’s latest Business Class product than its A380 First Apartments. The Abu Dhabi-based airline expects to receive its first A330neo in September 2027.
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The agreements position Airbus to support an expansion by Vietravel Airlines, which is targeting a larger fleet and international network, while Vietnam Airlines added five A350-900s to its post-2030 fleet strategy. The commitments reinforce Vietnam’s importance as a fast-growing Southeast Asian aviation market.
KLM has completed two test flights with its first Airbus A350 ahead of delivery later this month. The widebody is expected to enter service on routes including Toronto, Montreal and Nairobi, marking the aircraft’s initial deployment within KLM’s network.
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KLM’s first A350-900 has completed its initial test flight in Toulouse, marking a milestone in the aircraft’s production and handover process. The flight advances KLM’s introduction of Airbus’ long-haul widebody into its fleet.
Aircraft Interiors International
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Emirates is introducing a next-generation premium-economy seat on its Airbus A350s, featuring a full-height electric privacy divider, wireless charging and enhanced adjustment. The move comes four years after launching the cabin, while the airline reallocates Airbus A380 service from 10 cities to add a second daily superjumbo flight to Singapore.
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Air Canada will add seven routes to five new destinations in summer 2027, expanding from Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver to Europe and Asia while increasing Latin America capacity. The plan includes Toronto–Guangzhou, Basel, Dubrovnik, Oslo and Shannon services, with Oslo and Shannon operated by Airbus A321XLRs.
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