Finnair’s new Airbus A350 XWB

Finnair says the new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft is “perfect” for spearheading its Asian expansion.
The Helsinki-based carrier is the first European airline to fly the A350 XWB, which is claimed to offer unrivalled fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
Shanghai in China is the first long-haul destination for the next-generation aircraft, followed on December 24 by Bangkok, and then Beijing in January, with Hong Kong and Singapore flights to be announced later.
The airline’s chief executive officer, Pekka Vauramo, described the delivery of the A350 as “a new and exciting chapter in Finnair’s 92-year history” that will give its passengers added comfort”.
The company has ordered a total of 19 A350’s – making it the biggest investment in Finnair’s history – and intends to double its Asian traffic by 2020.
The first four aircraft are expected to arrive in the fleet this year, with another seven being delivered in 2016 and 2017. The completed order is expected to be fulfilled by 2023.
The carrier’s country sales manager – Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone, says interest in the A350 has been strong from the Australian market across industry partners, repeat passengers and new clientele.
“There are many great new experiences and services to be enjoyed on the aircraft in terms of the extra space, wider seats, advanced entertainment and Wi-Fi, signature dining, cleaner and fresher cabin air, quietness of the flight and much more, said Mr Stone.
Finnair continues to report heavy bookings out of Australia, with October sales up well over 20 per cent above last year and increases having been recorded for all other months in 2015. “This is an exciting time for Finnair and stay tuned for some Christmas special flight offers coming up,” added Mr Stone.
Among other things:
*The extra wide body of the 350 XWB offers more space and wider seats for greater passenger comfort. The Finnair version has 297 seats – 46 in business class, 43 in economy comfort and 208 in economy. Business class seats, which convert to fully flat beds, are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for all. Economy class passengers sit on slim-line seats that have a 31-32 inch seat pitch, while economy comfort seats – located at the front of economy – come with four extra inches of legroom.
Economy class seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration;
* The completely new state-of-the-art ‘Nordic Sky’ seatback entertainment system has a wide selection of Hollywood blockbusters, classic movies and unique branded channels from the BBC, the National Geographic channel and the Discovery channel; 
* Finnair says its A350 signature menu brings the glamour back to in-flight dining. The business class menu features delicacies, such as vendace roe mousse, warm smoked Arctic char and wild reindeer, while economy class has new and improved meals, as well as an aperitif service with savoury snacks that has been added to the first meal.
* Business class passengers, Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum members, as well as oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members enjoy full internet access free of charge, while economy class passengers can purchase it either by the hour or for the duration of the flight;

* Passengers will benefit from noticeably cleaner and fresher cabin air due to the advanced air filtering system which changes the cabin air every 2-3 minutes. Draft-free air-conditioning, adjustable temperature zones and the cabin air pressure – which is closer to the sea level air pressure – add to greater passenger well-being and comfort;
* In addition, passengers will enjoy a quieter flight than on older aircraft, New engines, created by Rolls Royce, reduce noise both inside and outside the aircraft, making it easier to rest on board; and
* Female passengers in business class can take advantage of the dedicated Ladies Room, which is stocked with cosmetics and other supplies.
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