Emirates unveils first Airbus A350-900 ahead of commercial launch

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Emirates and Airbus during his speech at the unveiling event. “Today, we are the largest operator of the A380,” Clark stated. He added that this new chapter will enhance travel experiences further.

Emirates customized its A350-900 cabins to provide an optimal flight environment. “I am sure our friends at Airbus will tell you that Emirates is rather demanding about customization,” Clark remarked.

The airline's first batch of A350-900s is designed for flights up to 12 hours. Future deliveries will include ultra-long-range versions enabling new non-stop routes worldwide. The inaugural flight will be to Edinburgh Airport on January 3, with additional destinations planned across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Philippe Mhun from Airbus expressed pride in Emirates endorsing their flagship widebody jet: “We are grateful for our partnership...and we look forward with great excitement to the next part of our journey together.”

Omar Ali Adib from Rolls-Royce noted their collaboration with Emirates dating back to 1996 when they provided engines for Boeing aircraft. He also highlighted that Trent XWB-84 was introduced into service by Emirates as part of this ongoing partnership.