Virgin Atlantic Takes Delivery of First A330neo

(18/10/22)  Virgin Atlantic has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft.

The aircraft, leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC), is the 50th Airbus aircraft in the UK-based airline's fleet.

The aircraft is configured to accommodate 262 passengers in three classes, including 32 upper-class seats featuring privacy doors and two of the carrier's new Retreat Suites.

Virgin Atlantic, the first operator of the aircraft type in the UK, has ordered 13 A330neo aircraft - six of which will be on lease from ALC - with the intention of expanding this number to 16 in the future.

Virgin Atlantic takes delivery of first A330neo, its 50th Airbus aircraft

The A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, brings double-digit lower operating costs per seat and has 25 percent less fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous generation aircraft.

Benefitting from the highest bypass ratio of any Trent engine, the Trent 7000 offers significant fuel-burn improvement per seat compared to its predecessor and significantly reduces aircraft noise. It is certified to operate on a 50 percent blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The aircraft’s delivery flight from Toulouse to London Heathrow flew with a 35 percent SAF blend.

The aircraft also affords Virgin Atlantic with valuable A330 - A350 fleet commonality for pilots and seamless passenger experiences, as Virgin Atlantic already operates nine A350-1000 aircraft.

The A330neo features the Airspace cabin which has been designed to provide passengers with a new level of comfort, ambience and design. This includes offering more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system and the ability to offer the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity.

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