Lufthansa’s first 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be based in Munich from January 2017, thus equipping the airline’s second-largest hub with the world’s most modern long-haul passenger aircraft. The A350-900 is also one of the most environmentally friendly aircraft.
Delhi and Boston are expected to be the first destinations of the A350. The aircraft will accommodate 293 passengers: 48 guests in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 in Economy Class.
“We are delighted that we are able to offer the most modern aircraft type to our long-haul passengers flying out from Munich,” said Thomas Winkelmann, Chief Executive, Lufthansa Hub Munich. “The A350 also constitutes an active step towards noise protection.”
The A350-900 will gradually replace the A340-600. Lufthansa has ordered a total of 25 Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a list price of around US$310 million each. The deployment of the remaining 15 aircraft has yet to be decided. Next summer the fleet in Munich will consist of 26 long-haul aircraft, 19 of which will be A340-600s, and seven A330-300s.
The A350-900 marks the entry into the two-litre class: it is more economical to fly than any other type of aircraft. On average, the new aircraft will consume only 2.9 litres of kerosene per passenger and 100 kilometres flown. That is around 25% less than the models currently used.
The latest Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines and an aerodynamic design reduce noise emissions to levels well below the currently prescribed limits. As a result, the noise footprint generated by the aircraft is up to 50% smaller than that of comparable aircraft. Furthermore, new insulation methods and sound-absorbing materials make the aircraft cabin particularly quiet.
