SAS welcomes the first A350 and reveals unique features
The first of eight Airbus A350s has officially entered SAS’ fleet and from the 28th of January 2020 travelers will be able to experience the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft. Showcasing innovative technologies and design, it offers a new and more sustainable way of traveling long haul, to and from Scandinavia.
Travelers can look forward to even more comfortable flights, including a cabin with new seat models and unique, customized SAS solutions. The new aircraft is composed of the latest aerodynamic design and technology meaning unrivalled levels of operational efficiency.
“The A350 is a milestone in the extensive renewal of the SAS fleet which will consist of the market’s most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft. With this aircraft we reduce the fuel consumption compared with the aircraft it replaces, which means reduced carbon emissions by up to 30 percent. Also, the external noise foot print will be reduced by 40 percent. Along with the new livery, the A350 is a symbol of a more sustainable and competitive future for SAS, “says Rickard Gustafson, President & CEO, SAS.
SAS designers and engineers have looked at all elements of the aircraft and designed an interior to match and enhance the high comfort level, while also minimizing weight and thereby reducing carbon emissions. Several of SAS’ features are based on important feedback from our customers.
“The aircraft is one of our biggest investments, enabling us to provide an outstanding travel experience. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board this state-of the-art aircraft,” says Rickard Gustafson.
On each flight, a total of 300 travelers and crew can look forward to a cabin environment with the quietest double-aisle cabin, an optimized cabin altitude, with more fresh air, and advanced control of temperature and humidity.
The first A350, Ingegerd Viking, will enter long-haul service on the 28th of January. It will be based at the SAS hub at Copenhagen Airport and will operate on seven routes during the first year, including Chicago, Beijing, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
In total, as a part the modernization of the short and long-haul fleet, SAS will take delivery of new Airbus A320neo (80), Airbus A330 Enhanced (5), Airbus A350 (8), and Airbus A321LR (3) aircraft before the end of 2023.
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SAS A350 UNIQUE FEATURES
The cabin ceiling of the A350 is the highest in the industry, with vertical sidewalls for more shoulder room, and the overhead bins are the largest on the market. The aircraft has a high definition tail camera providing views of the aircraft during the flight at every seat-back screen.
SAS Business. 40 seats featuring an in-flight entertainment screen 18,5” with higher resolution, PC-power and high-power USB, better articulation of the seat, separate control for backrest recline, a new bi-fold tray table including a personal device holder and more durable seat padding. The business class beds measure a minimum of 196cm, with some even longer, and SAS has installed a durable threshold that also can give a light foot massage.
SAS has developed a new welcoming area at the entrance door where travelers are greeted in a stylish area, featuring inlaid lights and other unique design features. During the flight, this area will serve as a refreshment bar for SAS Business travelers.
SAS Plus. 32 seats of a brand-new type to SAS. They include a leg rest with a foot support feature, 13.3” high-resolution IFE screens, PC-power and high-power USB and a cabin divider distinctly separating the cabin from the rest of the plane. Travelers in SAS Plus and SAS Go can enjoy a special snack shop designed to encourage passengers to take a walk to boost health onboard.
SAS Go. 228 seats with 11.6” IFE screens with high resolution, high-power USB, a bi-fold meal table and a water bottle holder. The plane also features a “cross-aisle” passageway midway through SAS Go, for the benefit of passengers and crew.
The A350 features also a new work environment for crew. In addition to eight spacious beds for cabin crew and pilots, galleys have been redesigned to provide better, larger work surfaces for cabin crew. Furthermore, the A350 has iPads both to help with personalization of service and make it easier for crew to automatically report faults to maintenance, and more.
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SAS AIRBUS A350
- Number of aircraft: 8
- Number of seats: 300 (40 SAS Business / 32 SAS Plus / 228 SAS Go)
- Max. takeoff weight: 268 metric tons
- Max. load: 50 tons
- Length: 66.9 m
- Wingspan: 64.8 m
- Cruising speed: 910 kmph/570 mph
- Range: 13 800 km
- Fuel consumption: 0.028 liters/seat km
- Engine: RR Trent XWB
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SAS, Scandinavia's leading airline, flies over 30 million passengers to, from and within Scandinavia each year. The airline has three main hubs – Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm – with 125 destinations in Europe, USA and Asia.
Supported by its Scandinavian Cultural Heritage and sustainable values, SAS is striving it reduce its total carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent and operate with biofuels corresponding to the total consumption of aviation fuel used in all SAS domestic flights, by the year 2030.
In addition to flight operations, SAS offers ground handling services, technical maintenance and air cargo services. SAS is a founder member of the Star Alliance™, and together with its partner airlines offers around 19,000 daily flights to over 1,300 destinations worldwide.
