After months of delay, Airbus has finally managed to deliver the A330neo, the advanced variant of the well-known wide body. If the first aircraft was delivered to TAP Air Portugal in December the manufacturer is about to see its new model debut in the Americas.
On Thursday, for example, the airline Azul received its first A330-900neo from a total of five aircraft that were leased from the lessor Avolon.
The Brazilian company planned to have the jet since December 2018, but the schedule has been delayed and now the plane will make its debut on June 10 on the route between Campinas and Lisbon.
Configured to carry 298 passengers, Azul’s A330neo has three classes, 34 in business, 96 in economic premium and 168 in economic. The cabin used is “Airspace”, designed by Airbus itself.
“We are very proud to be the first company to operate the A330neo in the Americas. This new aircraft will play a key role in our expansion into the international market, driving our strategy of having a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, “said John Rodgerson, Blue’s CEO.
A330 from Delta on the way
Another airline in the Americas that is about to incorporate the new aircraft is Delta Air Lines. The company’s first A330-900neo held its maiden flight this week in Toulouse, France.
Delta has ordered 35 units of the new A330 in 2014 and is due to receive the first one by June. According to the company, its new twin-jet aircraft will have “a modern, luxurious interior with all four branded seat products (Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort + and Main Cabin), thoughtful touches like in-seat power ports, full-spectrum LED ambient lighting, spacious overhead bins, and memory foam cushions throughout the aircraft for added comfort and high speed 2Ku internet connectivity, including free mobile messaging through iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. ”
In addition to the A330, Delta also operates 11 A350s since 2017.
