The most advanced type of airliner in the world, the Airbus A350-1000 touched down in Auckland for the first time on Monday afternoon afternoon.
Cathay Pacific flight CX113 arrived just before 1:15pm, making the airline the first to fly the new aircraft type into New Zealand.
Cathay Pacific will operate the Airbus on its services between Auckland and Hong Kong.
It's the largest variant in the A350 family, able to carry up to 334 passengers across business, premium and economy class.
Key features of the Airbus A350-1000:
- The very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Quiet cabin
- LED mood lighting
- Fully equipped onboard Wi-Fi
Cathay Pacific's manager of customer and commercial operations, Paul Loo, said the A350-1000 is the latest addition to what is one of the world's youngest airline fleets.
"The 1000 is very similar to the 900, in terms of its operational excellence," says Loo.
"It has an incredible range, is remarkably fuel efficient and quiet, provides customers with an unsurpassed cabin environment and has extremely attractive operating economics."
The A350s can be easily identified by two of its signature design features - the large curved wingtips, and the dark glass around the cockpit windows.
Cathay Pacific operates the smaller A350-900 variant, which carries 54 fewer passengers, between Hong Kong and Christchurch.
The airline will operate the A350-1000 between Auckland and Hong Kong three times a week, as well as its A350-900 aircraft, which will also fly between the two cities four times a week.
Newshub.
