Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

BA A350 touches down in Toronto

British Airways commenced the first North American long-haul service of its new A350 aircraft from Toronto today, following extensive trials and the launch of its first long-haul service to Dubai last month.

Above: The BA A350 lands into Toronto.
Courtesy British Airways

The new aircraft features Club Suite, British Airways’ latest generation business class seat, which offers customers direct-aisle access, doors for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, with 40% more storage, WiFi, 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming and PC / USB power. 

Advertisement
ODU RT

The A350 aircraft quieter than some of its predecessors and delivers environmental benefits such as a 25% lower fuel burn, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

Gerard McEvoy, VP Sales, North America, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching our new A350 from Toronto, a city we’ve flown to and from for nearly 60 years. The A350 and our new Club Suite business class seat deliver new levels of sophistication, comfort and privacy and we’re proud to share this with our Canadian customers.”

Since British Airways took delivery earlier this year, the A350 has flown over 15,400 miles between London Heathrow and Madrid, completing 40 take-offs and landings to put the aircraft through its paces, test all aspects of its technical performance and to further familiarize the airline’s crew with the service they will deliver. In addition to the short haul flying, the airline has also simulated a long-haul flight on the ground at London Heathrow. 

Following the Toronto launch of British Airways’ A350 on selected services, flights will commence to Tel Aviv and Bangalore later this year.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The arrival of the A350 is part of the airline’s CA$5bn (£6.5bn) current investment program, and forms part of an exciting year for the airline as it celebrates its centenary. Other activities include the airline’s BA 2119 programme exploring the future of fuels, the customer experience of the future and the aviation careers in the next 100 years.

 

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
Muirhead Avionics appointed ARC for selected IA products

Aerospace

Muirhead Avionics appointed ARC for selected IA products

19 May 2026

AMETEK MRO's Muirhead Avionics, announced today that it has entered into a long term agreement with Innovative Aerosystems (IA) to become an Authorised Repair Centre (ARC) for selected legacy avionics products formerly developed under Honeywell product lines and now fully supported by IA.

Intelligent Energy joins UK alliance to accelerate hydrogen flight

Aerospace

Intelligent Energy joins UK alliance to accelerate hydrogen flight

19 May 2026

Intelligent Energy (IE) has joined the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance, alongside leading UK aerospace and UK hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, Intelligent Energy (IE), has joined the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA),which brings together companies from across aerospace, including Airbus, Bristol Airport, easyJet, GKN Aerospace and ...

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

Aerospace Defence

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

19 May 2026

Hexagon’s Production Software Division has announced the latest release of NCSIMUL, strengthening its integrated approach to NC programme verification, simulation and optimisation with a new Selective Simulation capability.

ATI launches tech strategy to double value of UK aerospace

Aerospace

ATI launches tech strategy to double value of UK aerospace

19 May 2026

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has today launched the latest UK technology strategy targeting a generational prize of doubling the UK aerospace sector's market value to $18 billion (£13.44bn) by 2035 and increasing by over four times, to $41 billion (£30.6bn), by 2050.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

Aerospace

Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

18 May 2026

Analysis from aviation intelligence company IBA, has found that global aviation carbon intensity improved from 860 gCO₂ per revenue tonne-kilometre (RTK) in 2018 to 690 gCO₂/RTK by September 2025 - an efficiency improvement of 20% - but that flight activity growth is offsetting those operational gains.

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

Aerospace

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

18 May 2026

Architecture, engineering and consulting firm Egis has appointed Shakir Khaja as Aviation Sector Director for Europe and Africa, to oversee the firm’s expansion across the airport sector, with a strategic focus on the UK, Ireland and wider European market.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner