British Airways A350-1000 Training at Shannon
Main photo by Malcolm Nason
British Airways took delivery of their first A350-1000 (G-XWBA) at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse on 29th July making it the first operator of the larger A350-1000 in International Airlines Group (IAG). In total, BA has ordered 18 A350-1000s. Iberia, which is also part of IAG, already operates five of the smaller A350-900s. The second A350-1000, G-XWBB was delivered directly to Shannon on the 19th of September. Since being delivered both aircraft have spent a lot of time at Shannon completing crew training.
The three-class layout includes 56 Club Suites, 56 World Traveller Plus and 219 World Traveller economy seats. BA operates a fleet of over 150 Airbus aircraft from the smallest A318 to the largest A380. The A350 XWB offers operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments up to ultra-long haul (15,000 km). It features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into high levels of operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.
At the end of August 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 913 firm orders from 51 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever. Thanks to Malcolm Nason and Paul Morris for the photographs.
G-XWBB at Shannon. Paul Morris
G-XWBB at Shannon. Paul Morris
G-XWBB at Shannon. Paul Morris
The interior of G-XWBB at Shannon. Paul Morris
The interior of G-XWBB at Shannon. Paul Morris
G-XWBA doing circuit training at Shannon. Malcolm Nason
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot by profession flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He also instructs on them including tailwheel differences training and is a UK CAA Examiner. He also flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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