TAP Air Portugal has taken delivery of the world’s first new generation widebody A330neo, writes Breaking Travel News.
As the launch airline, TAP will be the first to benefit from the aircraft’s unbeatable operating economics, increased range, and Airbus’ new Airspace cabin offering passengers the best in class comfort.
The Portuguese carrier will take delivery of a further 20 A330-900s in the coming years with the first A330-900, leased from Avolon.
It features 298 seats in a comfortable three-class lay-out with 34 full-flat business class, 96 economy plus and 168 economy class seats.
The Airspace by Airbus cabin offers more personal space, larger overhead storage bins, advanced cabin lighting and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.
The aircraft will be deployed on routes from Portugal to the Americas and Africa.
TAP is considered both Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa and Europe’s Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards.
“I am delighted to welcome the first Airbus A330-900 into our expanding fleet. Its unbeatable economics and efficiency will power our business forward,“ said Antonoaldo Neves, TAP Air Portugal chief executive.
“The A330neo will give us a lot of operational flexibility thanks to its commonality with the other Airbus aircraft in our fleet.
“This aircraft will be the first equipped with the new Airspace cabin, which is a new concept shaped to meet TAP’s ambition to offer the best product in the industry to our passengers,” he added.
The A330neo is a true new generation aircraft building on the A330’s success and leveraging on A350 XWB technology.
It incorporates the highly efficient new generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and a new higher span 3D optimised wing with new sharklets fully optimised for the best aerodynamic performance.
“Handing over the first ever A330neo to a long-standing Airbus customer, TAP Air Portugal, is a very important milestone for Airbus,” said Guillaume Faury, president Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
“Through continuous innovations, the A330neo, our newest widebody aircraft, will offer maximum value and efficiency to our customers and superior comfort to their passengers.
“This occasion marks another step forward to meeting our industry’s goal for sustainable aviation.”
Airbus A330neo
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