Aviation

Chinese firm secretly orders 20 Airbus A330 neo aircraft

Airbus has made a significant stride in the aviation market, securing an order for 20 A330neo aircraft from a confidential buyer.

The deal, finalized on May 15, 2024, underscores the continued trust and demand for Airbus’ modern aircraft solutions. Details of this substantial transaction, along with other notable business activities, were unveiled in Airbus’ monthly order and delivery summary report for May 2024, released on June 6.

Alongside the A330neo order, Airbus also sealed a deal for seven A321neos with Nordic Aviation Capital, further solidifying its position in the industry. Moreover, Airbus is actively engaged in discussions with various Chinese airlines, exploring the potential sale of more than 100 A330neo widebody aircraft.

This strategic move comes at a pivotal moment, with China’s decision to halt imports from Boeing, potentially opening doors for Airbus to offer compelling terms and secure lucrative agreements.

May 2024 marked a milestone in Airbus’ delivery achievements. The company successfully delivered 53 aircraft to 34 customers, including the landmark 600th A350. Since its introduction on January 15, 2015, Airbus has delivered a total of 602 A350s, accumulating an impressive 1,445 orders before transitioning to the enhanced New Engine Option series.

Amidst these developments, Turkish Airlines emerged as the sole recipient of a new A350 in May 2024. Additionally, Airbus delivered three new aircraft to Delta Air Lines, comprising two A321neos and a single A220-300. Spirit Airlines also expanded its fleet with A320neos.

Year-to-date, Airbus has delivered a total of 256 aircraft, demonstrating its commitment to meeting customer demands. With an ambitious target of reaching 800 deliveries by January 31, 2025, Airbus remains focused on sustaining its growth trajectory and delivering exceptional value to its global clientele.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.