Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD) has welcomed its second Airbus A350 to the fleet. The airline's latest fleet addition departed from Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport (LDE), arriving at Belo Horizonte/Confins – Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF) at 23:31 local time on December 10th.
The aircraft traveled to South America under registration F-WTAK, which will be re-registered in Brazil as PR-AOW. Azul has high aspirations with its A350s, with the airline's first A350 delivered earlier in the year poised to start operating its Viracopos Campinas International Airport (VCP) to Orlando International Airport (MCO), which Azul's Airbus A330-200s currently operate.
Modernizing Azul's fleet
The Airbus A350 will be a welcome addition to the fleet, which, as noted earlier, plans to utilize the A350 to replace its aging A330-200. Azul also has multiple Airbus A330-900 (neo) on order.
In-flight entertainment (IFE) for the A350 is the Panasonic eX3 inflight entertainment system, one of the most advanced available. All passengers onboard the A350 will enjoy 16" entertainment screens, all touchscreen. In addition, all seats include USB ports by the screen to allow travelers to charge devices inflight.
Azul received its first A350 in September, with the aircraft designed to carry 334 passengers. Having the company's vision to provide affordable and frequent air services to underserved markets across Brazil, the airline hopes to utilize these aircraft for its unique international operations.
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The South American airline plans to operate a flurry of new international routes for the 2022/2023 summer season, with the below being added to their route map:
- Belem, Val-de-Cans/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport (BEL) to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Viracopos Campinas International Airport (VCP) to Punta del Este, Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport (PDP)
- Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN) to Montevideo Carrasco/General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD)
- Iguazu Falls, Foz do Iguaçu/Cataratas International Airport (IGU) to Montevideo Carrasco/General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD)
- Manaus International Airport – Eduardo Gomes (MAO) to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Experience onboard with Azul
Azul's business class cabin for international routes offers passengers direct aisle access and extensive onboard entertainment. Amenities included are a duvet, pillow, and amenity kit with socks, eyepatches, toothbrushes, toothpaste, moisturizing cream, and Institut Karité lip balm, in addition to their own headset and bottled water.
Those who fly in Economy Xtra can enjoy the experience with more legroom, along with Economy passengers all receiving a blanket, pillow, headset, and eyepatch.
As Brazil and the rest of the world are seeing growing travel demand, the airline will look to retain its foothold in the market. As Simple Flying noted earlier in the year, Azul commanded at least 34% of the market, holding the pole position as Brazil's largest carrier. However, LATAM Airlines Group is hot on its heels, with another strong recovery, at around 30% of the market share. It will be interesting to see how the market rebounds in 2023 and who comes out on top.
Sources: Aviancionline