A350 XWB makes its Chilean and Brazilian debut, and I couldn’t be prouder

The 6th of August marked the first time ever that the A350 XWB landed in Chile and Brazil. MSN 5 made its debut as part of the Airbus “Route Proving” mission required for Type Certification, which is expected next month. Bringing the aircraft to Latin America provided Airbus the opportunity to show off the world’s most modern and efficient aircraft to our customers, and the aircraft did not disappoint.

We woke up to a cold and wet winter day in Santiago, but the sun managed to peek through shortly after the aircraft landed. It wasn’t long before the majestic Andes Mountains perfectly framed this most anticipated aircraft. The A350 called the familiar FIDAE fairgrounds in Santiago’s International Airport home for just a few short hours, but it is my hope that we can bring the aircraft back for FIDAE 2016.

Customers from LATAM, Synergy, Azul, Avianca Brasil and Sky Airlines as well as select South American journalists were among an exclusive group to fly aboard the fully-configured prototype aircraft used to perform comprehensive flight test and development trials. Operated by Airbus flight crews, passengers were amazed how well the aircraft performed under a typical airline schedule, demonstrating its maturity for airline operations.

After our smooth take off we marveled at Santiago’s stunning and serene landscape through the cabin’s signature panoramic windows. You could hear passenger commenting on how quiet and comfortable the cabin was thanks to the additional headroom and larger overhead storage space. At 220 inches (5.58 meters) width, the cabin provides a wide 18 inch seat width between armrests, in-line with the best comfort standards. The A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies to provide a 25 percent step-change in fuel efficiency compared with the Boeing 777 and six percent better compared with the 787. Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made from materials combining composites, titanium and advanced aluminum alloys. And the aircraft’s innovative new Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic fuselage results not only in a lower weight and therefore lower fuel burn but will most of all help our customers reduce airframe maintenance time and costs.

Making the event even more delightful were three flight attendants from TAM, who join us for this unforgettable Airbus flight. Their hospitality and professionalism made it a truly memorable experience.

That evening, we landed in the new Terminal 3 of Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport. The next morning, we were extremely proud to show the aircraft to Brazil-based customers, authorities and press. The new and modern Terminal provided the perfect setting for our newest and most modern wide-body airliner, but within a few hours, it was wheels up for the A350 XWB and its flight test crew, as they made their way back to Toulouse to complete the third of four Route Proving tours. Having previously visited Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand, the aircraft’s stops in South America rounded out a truly global tour that ended on August 13th, but not before the A350 XWB visited 14 airports around the world, including final stop in Helsinki, Finland.

The Airbus team couldn’t be prouder that the A350 XWB will soon be operating in Latin America. By the end of next year, LATAM will be the launch customer of the Americas, thanks to the region’s first order by TAM for 27 A350s. Soon thereafter, Synergy, which had previously ordered 10, and Azul, which recently announced they would lease five, will take possession of this ultra-efficient aircraft and its unmatched economics.