Inside the first Airbus A350 with business-class suites for Aeroflot
What do you do when you are Russia's largest airline and taking delivery of your new flagship airplane, one that carries the name of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky? You stage a ballet performance by a ballerina from Moscow's renowned Bolshoi Theater, who flew to Toulouse for the occasion — the delivery of Aeroflot's first Airbus A350-900. The Russian flag carrier has 22 on order, featuring a new, cutting-edge business class with enclosed suites and a true premium economy. It will debut this spring on routes to the US.
Aeroflot's A350-900 will seat 316 passengers in a three-class configuration: 28 in business class, 24 in Comfort Class (the airline's name for premium economy) and 264 in economy. TPG had a first look inside during the delivery ceremony Friday in Toulouse, where Airbus assembles all A350s.
The first thing that stands out is the new white livery, a departure from Aeroflot's current shades of grey. The tail and engines have preserved the traditional Aeroflot pattern.
Business class
Aeroflot's new business class is a huge improvement over the one in its Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. It's laid out in 1-2-1 seat configuration, offering all passengers direct access to the aisle, as opposed to the 2-2-2 layout currently in use. The Collins Aerospace Horizon lie-flat seats are enclosed in a suite with a closing door, like the Delta One suite on the A350.
The two center seats feature a sliding full-length divider between them as well as doors on the aisle side.
The two sliding panels making up the door can be opened separately or can slide together.
Also interesting is a personal wardrobe, located next to the seatback screen. This allows you to store a jacket, shoes or other clothing at your convenience. Storage areas include a cubby with a mirrored door perfect for small objects.
The seats turn of course into fully flat beds.
At the back of the business-class cabin there is a rest area, where part of the galley can be transformed into a small bar. Drinks, fruit and snacks will be available to premium passengers.
Premium economy
Further down is the Comfort Class cabin, which offers 38" seat pitch, typical of long-haul premium economy.
The Collins Aerospace MIQ seats are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration, also typical of premium economy on the A350. The seats are also new for Aeroflot, which features shell seats in premium economy on the 777. (The Airbus A330s that Aeroflot also uses on long hauls do not have premium economy.)
Economy class
The back of the plane features two cabins of economy-class seats in a nine-abreast layout (3-3-3) with Collins Aerospace Aspire seats. The seat pitch is a more modest 31", but made quite bearable by the slim seat backs.
The plane is equipped with the Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, accessible through seatback HD screens at every seat. Business class has 21" screens, premium economy has 13" and coach class 12". All of Aeroflot's A350s will have Wi-Fi.
When it comes to the passenger experience, all three classes benefit from some of the innovations available on the A350 thanks to the shape and design of its fuselage, such as the more vertical cabin sidewalls, high ceiling and large overhead bins. The Airspace by Airbus cabin also features soothing LED lighting that is capable of producing up to 16.7 million color combinations.
For a number of weeks, Aeroflot's A350 is going to fly familiarization flights between Moscow - Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Saint Petersburg (LED) before it begins serving the London - Heathrow (LHR) route.
Longer haul destinations that have been allocated to the A350 include the New York JFK, Miami, Osaka and, coronavirus permitting, Beijing — where Aeroflot is planning to move operations to the new Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Aeroflot's newest destination, Singapore, scheduled to launch on October 25, will also be operated by the A350. Aeroflot has built a relevant business out of connections between Europe and North America to Asia through its Sheremetyevo hub, with transits that do not require a Russian visa and fares generally lower than other major full-service airlines.
For Delta Air Lines frequent flyers, Aeroflot is an excellent way of racking up elite-qualification miles and dollars, since it is a partner in the SkyTeam alliance.
All photos by the author.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.