Everett, WA | April 4, 2012/PRNewswire/– Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Air France are celebrating the delivery of Air France’s 60th Boeing 777 passenger jetliner. The airplane, a 777-300ER (Extended Range) model, landed in Paris this morning.
Air France’s newest 777-300ER seats 468 passengers in a three-class configuration. The brand-new cabin includes 14 business class lie-flat seat beds measuring over 78.74 inches (2 m) in length, plus an in-seat entertainment system with 15-inch (38 cm) wide screens in 16:9 format. It also features 32 “Alize” new premium economy fixed-shell seats offering 40 percent additional space compared with seats in economy class.
Air France, a member of Sky Team, will operate this 777-300ER between Paris and the French Overseas Departments in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean regions, including Fort de France, Pointe a Pitre and St-Denis de la Reunion.
By summer 2012, Air France will operate a total of 62 777 passenger jetliners and two 777 Freighters.
The 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat.
Last year was the best year on record for 777 sales with 200 orders from 24 customers, topping the previous record of 154 set in 2005. Production is at an all-time high for the program and a 20 percent rate increase begins this fall, increasing from seven to 8.3 airplanes per month. The program will begin building 100 airplanes per year beginning in 2013.
To date, Boeing has recorded orders for 1,367 777s to 64 customers around the globe.
A350XWB Continues To Attract World Class Airlines
September 16, 2011 —The Air France-KLM Group has announced its intention to sign for up to 60 A350 XWB aircraft, of which 25 A350-900 will be firmed up shortly. The aircraft will become an essential pillar in the group’s long-haul fleet modernization strategy.
“We are honoured that our all new, extra efficient A350 XWB will contribute to Air France-KLM’s long-term success”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “The A350 XWB’s unbeatable economics and environmental credentials will establish the aircraft as the future backbone of the airline’s long-haul fleet. We take this decision as a testimony of confidence in our brand and products”.
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new long range product line comprising three models capable of flying between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts on flights of up to 8,500 nautical miles.
In total the Air France-KLM Group currently operates a fleet of 191 Airbus aircraft, comprising six A380s, 26 A330s, 15 A340s, 24 A321s, 58 A320s, 44 A319s and 18 A318s. With this new order Air France-KLM joins the expanding group of airlines to have a member of each Airbus aircraft family in their fleet.
By end of August, Airbus has recorded 567 A350 XWBs firm orders from 35 customers.
The headset is the most critical part of any IFE system. It defines the quality of audio delivery and its look and feel defines the quality of the Airline. The headset is probably responsible for more passenger complaints, and IFE reliability issues than any other IFE component - so why do most airlines leave its procurement to the catering department?”