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It’s been a long time in coming, but Delta’s first brand-new A350-900 aircraft landed early Sunday morning at the airline’s hub in Atlanta (ATL). The aircraft flew directly from the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France, and received a overnight water-cannon salute as it rolled to a stop at the gate at just after 2am.

The new plane, which Delta refers to as Ship 3501, is the first of the flagship Airbus craft to join a North American fleet. Delta ordered the plane in November 2014 to replace its 747-400s, which are being retired by the end of 2017.

Delta Air Lines first A350 lands first thing in the morning in on Sunday August 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. ©2017, Chris Rank, Rank Studios
Delta’s first A350 receives a water cannon salute as it lands in Atlanta on Sunday morning. Image courtesy of Chris Rank/Rank Studios via Delta Airlines.

The carrier produced a video of the plane’s trip from Toulouse to Atlanta and released several photos of the aircraft’s arrival at its gate in Atlanta.

Delta Air Lines first A350 lands first thing in the morning in on Sunday August 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. ©2017, Chris Rank, Rank Studios
The airline’s new A350 in Atlanta on Sunday morning. Image courtesy of Chris Rank/Rank Studios via Delta Airlines.
Delta Air Lines first A350 lands first thing in the morning in on Sunday August 6, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. ©2017, Chris Rank, Rank Studios
Delta’s first Airbus A350 parks at the gate in Atlanta. Image courtesy of Chris Rank/Rank Studios via Delta Airlines.

Other photos were posted on Flickr by James Snyder, a Delta employee, including images of one of the plane’s Delta One suite seats, the aircraft’s Premium Select premium-economy section and the main economy cabin as well.

IMG-delta-one-suite-seat-a350
A Delta One suite seat on the airline’s new Airbus A350. Image courtesy of James Snyder via Flickr.
IMG-delta-premium-select-a350
The Premium Select cabin on Delta’s new A350. Image courtesy of James Snyder via Flickr.
IMG-delta-main-cabin-a350
The 3x3x3 main economy cabin on Delta’s new A350. Image courtesy of James Snyder via Flickr.
IMG-delta-main-cabin-ife-a350
In-flight entertainment screens on Delta’s brand-new A350 aircraft. Image courtesy of James Snyder via Flickr.

While Delta will be likely be working out the kinks and training flights with this aircraft in the coming months, the first official Delta A350 flight is currently scheduled to be Delta Flight 275 from Detroit (DTW) to Tokyo/Narita (NRT) at 1:40pm on Oct. 30 with the return flight the next day. You can already book tickets for that flight or other A350 flights on the route using cash or a lot of Delta SkyMiles.

H/T: Rene’s Points

Featured image courtesy of Delta Airlines.

Julian Mark Kheel is a contributing writer for The Points Guy

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