Historic Moment: EgyptAir Takes Delivery of First A350, Joins the Elite Tier of Global Aviation

Egypt's national airline, EGYPTAIR, has taken delivery of the first of 16 Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order, becoming the first airline in North Africa to operate A350 aircraft.

The new aircraft is part of a global trend of renewing long-haul fleets with A350 models, driven in part by the model's long flight range and operational efficiency. As a reminder, last week SWISS added its second A350-900 aircraft, the first to arrive in its classic livery.

SWISS' new Airbus A350‑900. Photo: SWISS

The new aircraft is expected to support the renewal of EGYPTAIR's long-haul fleet and the expansion of its international network, with an emphasis on new direct flights from the hub in Cairo to major destinations, including the US West Coast and North Asia.

The aircraft was delivered in a two-class configuration with 30 seats in Business Class and 310 seats in Economy Class. The Airspace cabin features an interior layout adapted for long-haul flights, for both passengers and flight crew.

The Airbus A350 is considered one of the world's most advanced wide-body jetliners, with a range of up to 9,700 nautical miles or approximately 18,000 kilometers non-stop. It combines advanced technologies and aerodynamics, latest-generation Rolls-Royce engines and extensive use of lightweight materials, enabling savings of approximately 25% in fuel consumption, operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft.

Like other Airbus aircraft, the A350 is already adapted to operate on up to 50% SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), with Airbus setting a goal of enabling 100% SAF by 2030.

As of the end of January 2026, A350 aircraft have accumulated over 1,500 orders, most of them from the world's leading airline giants, including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, British Airways and Emirates, alongside Ethiopian Airlines, which was the first in Africa to operate the model and one of the few on the continent to operate it.

EGYPTAIR's Airbus fleet currently includes eight A320neo aircraft, seven A321neo aircraft and 11 A330 Family aircraft, including five A330 200P2F freighters.

Qatar Airways A350 at London Heathrow. Photo: Shutterstock