Delta’s first Airbus A350, Ship 3501, left Airbus’ paint shop in Toulouse, France, on Tuesday coated in the airline’s signature livery as the aircraft prepares to be delivered in July.
The state-of-the-art widebody jet had its first test flight two weeks ago and will undergo additional flight testing in France before being handed over to the North-American carrier, Ship 3501 is expected to enter service this fall on trans-Pacific routes.
Delta will be the first U.S. carrier to take delivery of the A350.
As the airline’s flagship international aircraft, the A350 will be debut the airline’s Delta One suites in the business class cabin as well as Premium Select. The aircraft will feature 32 Delta One suites, 48 Premium Select seats and 226 seats in the Main Cabin.
Delta has firm orders for 25 A350s, with 15 due through 2019 and the balance from 2022. The airline will use these aircraft to replace its aging Boeing 747-400s, which are scheduled for retirement by the end of this year.