Finnair has taken the delivery of Airbus A340, its first new long-haul aircraft. These airbuses reveal modern and advanced technology that is to be used on the long distance flights of Finnair, flying between Europe and Asia. Airbus A340 has the capacity to seat 269 passengers. The first commercial flight of this new aircraft had been on June 2, from Helsinki to Tokyo.
Finnair had ordered for three A340 aircrafts in December, 2005 and it had just received its first A340 airbus. The second aircraft of this modern technology was also received by Finnair in mid-June, which had arrived from Toulouse. Finnair has plans to replace the Boeing MD-11, its present aircraft with the technologically advanced aircrafts, Airbus A340s and A330s. By the end of 2010, the airline will be having a long-haul fleet of these modern aircrafts.
The new aircrafts have engines that are based on the most recent technology and it decreases emissions and fuel consumptions considerably. The aircrafts also offer the passengers of Finnair a comfortable journey. The passengers will be having the option of selecting from the wide range of entertainment and communications offered in the aircrafts. In the Economy Class, all the passenger seats are equipped with numerous TV and audio channels, 20 films, satellite phones, a 60 CD collection permitting the passenger to compile his own play lists.
Messages can be sent from the air to the ground and the passenger can call other passengers on the same flight using the installed satellite phones on the arm rests.
According to Finnair President and CEO, Jukka Hienonen, Finnair's acquisition schedule is flexible regarding the types of aircrafts and the aircraft numbers. He goes on to say that, Finnair has the ability to optimize their flights in accordance with the rise of the demand and ensure their growth in Asia coupled with competitive flights.
The modern A340 will enable Finnair to develop its Asian destinations by meeting the traffic growth demands. The introduction of the new aircrafts will enhance the eco-efficiency and profitability of Finnair.
