Aeroflot took delivery of its first Airbus A350 at the end of February. It was the first of at least 14 Airbus A350-900s Aeroflot is set to receive from Airbus., Yesterday the brand new widebody flew its first commercial flight.

Aeroflot Airbus A350
An Aeroflot Airbus A350, also another great new product that barely got used. Photo: Getty Images

Russian flag carrier Aeroflot operates a fleet of 244 aircraft with a sizeable contingent of aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. Interestingly, it also has several aircraft from Russian manufacturer Sukhoi. But Aeroflot only recently took delivery of its first Airbus A350, which it will use to serve long-haul flights across the world.

Aeroflot’s first Airbus A350, which has been named after Russian composer Tchaikovsky, was officially delivered to the airline at Airbus’s delivery center in Toulouse on 28 February. The aircraft features a new livery to celebrate Aeroflot’s nearly 100 years of operation. Furthermore, it sports a fresh new interior with all the luxury and technology the Airbus A350 has to offer. With the delivery of the new aircraft, Aeroflot becomes the 30th operator of the type, as well as the first in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Tchaikovsky’s first commercial flight

Aeroflot’s first Airbus A350 flew its first commercial flight yesterday from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. As outlined by Aeroflot in the Facebook post below, the new Airbus A350, registered VQ-BFY, will switch to long haul services after its inaugural domestic flight.

The interior of Aeroflot’s new Airbus A350s

As the newest and most advanced aircraft to enter Aeroflot’s fleet, the Airbus A350 is somewhat of a flagship aircraft for the airline. As is to be expected with such an aircraft, Aeroflot’s new Airbus A350s have been equipped with the latest technology and fitted with luxury business class interiors.

Simple Flying’s own Sumit Rehal got the opportunity to see the interior of Aeroflot’s new Airbus A350 in the flesh during the exclusive delivery service held on 28 February. Aeroflot’s Airbus A350-900s will be fitted with 28 private business class seats, each of which have their own sliding doors and full-flat beds. The materials used throughout the aircraft give it a premium feel which will appeal to passengers in both business class and economy.

How many more Airbus A350s will Aeroflot take?

While Airbus itself says that Aeroflot is set to receive 22 Airbus A350s in total, this figure is not definite. There has been some confusion around the airline’s order as it originally comprised 14 A350-900s and eight A350-800s. The Airbus A350 family was originally supposed to feature three versions: the A350-800, the A350-900 and the A350-1000. However, a lack of demand for the shortest variant meant that the Airbus A350-800 project was scrapped.

Aeroflot Airbus A350
Aeroflot will receive a further 10 Airbus A350s this year. Photo: Aktug Ates/Jetphotos via Wikimedia Commons

As reported by AIN Online, Aeroflot was one of the last customers of the Airbus A350-800 to change its order after the project was canceled. While Aeroflot is still set to receive the 14 Airbus A350-900s listed in its original order, 11 of which will be delivered this year, it may well add the Airbus A350-1000 to its books. Russian government budget statements appear to suggest that an order for the Airbus A350-1000 is likely.

Have you flown on the Airbus A350 yet? How was our experience? Let us know in the comments.