Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines is preparing to take delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, which is an exciting development for the airline. I wanted to go over all the details, as we haven’t known much about what to expect onboard these jets until now.
Ethiopian Airlines has four A350-1000s on order
Ethiopian Airlines has a total of four Airbus A350-1000s on order. This deal was announced in July 2022, and it wasn’t actually a new order. Instead, the airline upsized four A350-900 orders to the larger A350-1000 variant. The carrier will fly Africa’s first A350-1000, so that’s pretty cool (meanwhile here in North America, we still have zero A350-1000s… sad!).
The A350-1000 is simply an incredible plane in terms of economics, range, fuel efficiency, etc. I’d argue that it’s the best wide body passenger jet currently in production.
Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet strategy is all over the place. In terms of wide body jets, the airline currently has Boeing 777-200LRs, 777-300ERs, 787-8s, and 787-9s, and then it has A350-900s and soon A350-1000s. On top of that, the airline has ordered the Boeing 777-9, though it’s anyone’s guess when that ends up being delivered.
Anyway, there’s an exciting update when it comes to Ethiopian’s A350-1000 fleet, as the airline is expected to take delivery of its first of these jets in November 2024. The aircraft is just undergoing flight testing, and should be delivered in the coming weeks. The aircraft currently has the registration code F-WWXL, until it’s turned over to the airline.
For the time being (until the Boeing 777-9s arrive), this will almost certainly be the carrier’s flagship aircraft. The challenge with Ethiopian is how common aircraft swaps at the airline are, so actually securing a ride on this plane could be a challenge.
I would guess that the plane will eventually fly to some of the carrier’s most important long haul destinations, like London (LHR) and Washington (IAD).
What to expect onboard Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-1000
What should passengers expected onboard Ethiopian Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000? The jet is expected to be configured with 395 seats, including 46 business class seats and 349 economy class seats. The airline has published a video about the A350-1000, including what passengers can expect onboard.
In business class, passengers can expect a staggered product in a 1-2-1 configuration. Ethiopian has a really inconsistent business class experience across its fleet, so the airline will offer a similar product to what it has on its newest A350-900s. Specifically, the airline is installing Safran Optima seats. That’s nothing cutting edge, but at least the airline isn’t introducing yet another new product.
As far as tech goes, each seat will have a 17.3″ high definition monitor, USB-A and USB-C power outlets, and bluetooth audio pairing. It’s also claimed that the airline will offer free Wi-Fi, which is an exciting and new development for the airline.
In economy class, passengers can expect a 3-3-3 configuration. Each seat will have 11.6″ high definition screens, plus USB-A and USB-C outlets.
Those are all the details we have as of now, though we should learn more in the near future.
Bottom line
Ethiopian Airlines will shortly take delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, representing a new aircraft variant for the airline. The company has just four of these on order, so it’ll be quite the “boutique” fleet. You can expect the A350-1000 will feature the carrier’s newest products, including a staggered configuration in business class.
What do you make of Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-1000 plans?
One of the rarest A35K with comfortable seats (Safran Z300?) in Y. Kudos to ET!
Most A35Ks in the world (except CX) sport awful Recaro CL3710 in Y.
You write that Ethiopian's fleet is "all over the place", strongly implying negativity and poor planning procedures. You could not be more wrong here !
It's a diverse but a well thought out fleet, which suits their needs. Nothing wrong with a diverse fleet, if it works for you. And it works very well for Ethiopian; which is a terrifically managed airline overall.
If you wanted to cite an airline with REAL problems...
You write that Ethiopian's fleet is "all over the place", strongly implying negativity and poor planning procedures. You could not be more wrong here !
It's a diverse but a well thought out fleet, which suits their needs. Nothing wrong with a diverse fleet, if it works for you. And it works very well for Ethiopian; which is a terrifically managed airline overall.
If you wanted to cite an airline with REAL problems of a diverse fleet, you should have cited Thai Airways instead.
Though it is owned by govt
It is being operated very efficiently and profitably without interference on day to day affairs of the company And
Without any corruption I appreciate it
Jeez, even the Africans are getting their 1Ks before the Premium airlines.
What kind of d-bag makes a comment like that?
Huh?? That's only 3 maintenance types + 2 pilot types.... hardly "all over the place" by any means.
Very well defined longhaul fleet, for a global carrier.
It is also both A and B's version of new generation widebodies which is notable and makes it a valid comment.
The 787 family does not have the size and performance that the 350 family does so that might have precipitated the change.
The use of the LR and A350 has only been done by about 4 airlines including Emirates and Etihad - but DL like ET certainly chose the LR in part because of...
It is also both A and B's version of new generation widebodies which is notable and makes it a valid comment.
The 787 family does not have the size and performance that the 350 family does so that might have precipitated the change.
The use of the LR and A350 has only been done by about 4 airlines including Emirates and Etihad - but DL like ET certainly chose the LR in part because of its incredible power also for use from Africa - but which came at considerably higher operating cost. DL chose to get rid of its 777s and centralize around the 350 family so it will be worth watching to see what ET decides since EK is the only airline that still has a sizeable 777 fleet and will also operate the A350 -but so far not the -1000.
"The use of the LR and A350 has only been done by about 4 airlines "
No significant carrier has selected 777-200LRs in almost two decades. Why are you (first, bringing Delta into this conversation about Ethiopian and second) comparing it to the A350 as if any airline were evaluating the two side-by-side? The only reason they'd be in the same fleet is because the previous carrier hasn't retired the elder generation 777 yet.
the LR was a unique and low-selling aircraft that was selected by few airlines for specific purposes.
It is quite valid to show how airlines are replacing that aircraft and it is largely with A350s, not B787 family aircraft.
It is more an issue of the engine variants because they have a real dog's breakfast of those. Their 787 fleet is a mix of RR/GE, the 777s are GE and the 350s are RR. That is where they have struggled with reliability in recent years.
Will this aircraft have the high-altitude performance to fly nonstop from Addis Ababa to North America without a fuel stop? if so, game changer for them.
It is possible that the 35K could do what the 359 has not been able to do for ET but ET does have some pretty new 359s - the most capable that Airbus produces - and ET has not tried to do nonstop to the US.
Several of Africa's largest hubs are at high altitude airports which creates some of the most operationally challenging flying in the world due to the combination of altitude...
It is possible that the 35K could do what the 359 has not been able to do for ET but ET does have some pretty new 359s - the most capable that Airbus produces - and ET has not tried to do nonstop to the US.
Several of Africa's largest hubs are at high altitude airports which creates some of the most operationally challenging flying in the world due to the combination of altitude and distance. The 35K might make a difference but very likely not with the 390 seats filled on an ET 35K
@Delfine - no, it won't be able to do this from the current Bole airport but is expected to be able to do this nonstop from the new Bishoftu airport when it opens, depending on the exact specs of that airfield.
@Delfino: Technically speaking, it should be able to cover the distance from ADD to any place in the US, as for example ADD-JFK is about 7.000 miles, where an A350-1000 should be able to cover just over 10.000 at max. However, there are a few technical constrains which make me doubt if it will be feasible under the current conditions: ADD is at over 2500m/7500ft in altitude and the longest runway is just about 3800m/12.500ft....
@Delfino: Technically speaking, it should be able to cover the distance from ADD to any place in the US, as for example ADD-JFK is about 7.000 miles, where an A350-1000 should be able to cover just over 10.000 at max. However, there are a few technical constrains which make me doubt if it will be feasible under the current conditions: ADD is at over 2500m/7500ft in altitude and the longest runway is just about 3800m/12.500ft. I think that may give a few restrictions here.
Some key points about this gorgeous beast. This is the first A350-1000 in not only Africa but also the entire Star Alliance, which is very surprising indeed. Most A35K operators are on Oneworld, with QR and CX being the largest followed by BA, and JAL grabbing most of the praise lately.
The registration of ET’s first A350-1000 is ET-BAW — that’s random, of course, but I like how it’s an unintentional dig at British Airways, which also operates the A350-1000.
Not really all that surprising, when only 8 airlines have the aircraft thus far.
@Proximanova
Well, I thought you don't care about how great A350-1000s are, because you can take a look into a 737 and "visualise yourself flying Qsuites or Air France or JAL or something of that kind! ;)"?
You should've tried to differentiate what you say as well, if you wanted to hide the fact that you're VT-CIE.
Nice try.
@Proximanova - It isn't a random registration, but rather sequential. ET-BAU was a 737 Max and the next one will be ET-BAX.
Yes, @Sean M., I do know that ET registers its aircraft in order of delivery to the airline, irrespective of type, in contrast to most other countries where the registration series is determined by aircraft type. Still, the BAW part was interesting and coincidential to highlight, which is what I meant above.
And everyone knows that I am that infamous A320neo registration, but I feel that this username ties in better with my profile on...
Yes, @Sean M., I do know that ET registers its aircraft in order of delivery to the airline, irrespective of type, in contrast to most other countries where the registration series is determined by aircraft type. Still, the BAW part was interesting and coincidential to highlight, which is what I meant above.
And everyone knows that I am that infamous A320neo registration, but I feel that this username ties in better with my profile on the Flight-Report review website, so make what you will of that.
very glad to hear that yet another airline is getting the A350-1000. It is simply the most efficient and capable commercial aircraft on the planet It will help Ethiopian expand its network.
As for North America, Delta's first A350-1000 will roll off the production line sometime in the first half of 2025 based on Airbus' A350 production lists. And it will seat a whole lot less than ET's 35Ks so will be interesting to see...
very glad to hear that yet another airline is getting the A350-1000. It is simply the most efficient and capable commercial aircraft on the planet It will help Ethiopian expand its network.
As for North America, Delta's first A350-1000 will roll off the production line sometime in the first half of 2025 based on Airbus' A350 production lists. And it will seat a whole lot less than ET's 35Ks so will be interesting to see if DL adds any new bells and whistles over its new 359s which still keep getting delivered. Just as with ET, DL will be expanding its network because Airbus is delivering A350s even close to on-time, something Boeing is having a much harder time doing.
dude, it's an article about Ethiopian and the A350-1000. Nobody cares about your weird Delta fetish and the A350. Are you this desperate for attention?
Yes he is. Dude has issues.
What’s the problem if he wants to share his thoughts in a respectful way? Geez…
@Orus: Hi Tim, nice guest account.
Yes, sharing thoughts in a respectful way would be great - and something completely new for Timmy. Just like staying on topic, by the way.
Yeah... I was thinking about how he couldn't have possibly involved Delta in to this conversation but of course he can!
because there are precisely 4 airlines by my count that were 777LR operators which are now A350 operators. DL happens to be one of them.
But because you, not me, have mental issues, you missed the references to the other 3 and fixated on DL.
The A350-1000 is a beautiful aircraft and quite frankly, looks good in any livery. Ethiopian is no exception.