Swiss International’s first A350-900 takes flight on Welsh wings

Swiss International Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350-900 from European OEM Airbus, an aircraft featuring next-generation, cutting-edge wings manufactured in Wales.

The new widebody will become the airline’s flagship aircraft and is the first to feature Swiss’s new ‘Senses’ cabin as the airline looks to modernise its fleet.

The A350-900 will be used from its base in Zurich, Switzerland, on long-haul routes such as Boston to strengthen the airline’s global network.

Featuring fuel efficiency boosting wings and engines, the A350 has proved popular with airlines on long-haul routes, with a spacious cabin that is enjoyed by passengers.

The wings, which are made in Broughton, North Wales, are made of lightweight, strong carbon-fibre composites featuring an advanced, “morphing” aerodynamic design that changes shape in flight to optimise performance.

This helps to deliver a 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to previous generations of widebody aircraft.

The Airbus A350, like all current-generation Airbus airliners, can operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend, something Airbus hopes to increase to 100% by 2030.