China Airways is increasing its Airbus A350 fleet, because the airline is selecting up two former Scandinavian Airways (SAS) jets. That is the second airline to take action, as Malaysia Airways just lately made an analogous transfer.
China Airways acquires used Airbus A350-900s
In July 2022, Scandinavian Airways filed for Chapter 11 chapter safety. It’s now anticipated that Air France-KLM will put money into the corporate, and that the airline will be part of SkyTeam. SAS has been making an attempt to chop prices, and that has included eliminating some jets, together with ending leases on a number of of its new Airbus A350s. As you’d count on, these planes are actually discovering new properties.
China Airways intends to shortly begin flying two former SAS Airbus A350s. Particularly, the 2 jets that China Airways ought to take supply of have the registration codes SE-RSA and SE-RSC. These are nonetheless fairly new plane, as they’re simply 4 and three years previous, respectively.
Earlier than this acquisition, China Airways had a fleet of 14 Airbus A350s, so this can convey the provider’s fleet to 16 of those jets. It’s not totally clear for a way lengthy China Airways will fly these plane, although I think about it’s not a short-term lease.
What these A350s imply for China Airways passengers
How do these former Scandinavian Airways A350s examine to China Airways’ different A350s? So far as I do know, there aren’t any plans to reconfigure the interiors of those new A350s.
China Airways A350s have a complete of 306 seats, together with 32 enterprise class seats, 31 premium financial system seats, and 243 financial system class seats.
The SAS A350s have a complete of 300 seats, together with 40 enterprise class seats, 32 premium financial system seats, and 228 financial system seats.
To check a few key variations of the 2 merchandise:
- China Airways has reverse herringbone seats in enterprise class on A350s, whereas Scandinavian Airways has a staggered configuration; personally I favor China Airways’ product, however each are good
- China Airways has a greater premium financial system product, because the provider’s A350s have the cabin in a 2-3-2 configuration, in comparison with Scandinavian Airways’ 2-4-2 configuration
You’ll be able to learn my overview of China Airways’ A350 enterprise class right here, and browse my overview of Scandinavian Airways’ A350 enterprise class right here.
Former SAS A350s will fly to Rome & Singapore
So, what are China Airways’ plans for these new Airbus A350s? On condition that they’ve totally different configurations, they’ll fly particular routes, and gained’t simply be cycled all through the system. As flagged by AeroRoutes, you’ll be able to count on the primary aircraft to enter service as of early March 2024, initially flying from Taipei (TPE) to each Rome (FCO) and Singapore (SIN) on choose frequencies.
Backside line
China Airways is buying two former Scandinavian Airways Airbus A350s, which is able to be part of the provider’s fleet shortly. SAS has been making an attempt to chop prices as a consequence of its chapter safety, so we’re now seeing each Malaysia Airways and China Airways choose up these planes.
This has some passenger expertise implications, as the inside of this jet is a bit totally different than China Airways’ normal A350.
What do you make of China Airways selecting up a former Scandinavian Airways A350?
