On Jan. 28, 2020, the first of eight new SAS Airbus A350 jets is scheduled to enter into service between Copenhagen and Chicago O'Hare, relying on Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The A350 will be based at the SAS hub at Copenhagen Airport and will operate on seven routes during the first year, including Chicago, Beijing, Newark, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
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It's an all-new jet for the airline, with room for 300 passengers split between SAS Business (40 seats), SAS Plus (32 seats) and SAS Go (228 seats). Per a company release, passengers and crew can look forward to "the quietest twin-aisle cabin, optimized cabin altitude, more fresh air, and advanced control of temperature and humidity."
The release says the A350 will feature "unique SAS features, carefully developed from feedback given from travelers," though specifics are being withheld until an announcement later this year.
The A350 lowers CO2 emissions by approximately 30% and reduces its external noise footprint by up to 40% compared to previous generation aircraft. In total, as a part the modernization of the short and long-haul fleet, SAS will take delivery of new Airbus A320neo (80), Airbus A330 Enhanced (5), Airbus A350 (8), and Airbus A321LR (3) aircraft before the end of 2023.
By end of 2019, the A350 aircraft will be delivered from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France. Following delivery, they will fly training flights in Scandinavia during December and January to educate pilots and crew, with passenger service to commence thereafter.
If you're looking to take a ride on SAS' Airbus A350 once tickets go on sale, we've assembled a guide to booking Star Alliance award tickets.
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