Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • French bee takes delivery of its first A350-1000

Aerospace

French bee takes delivery of its first A350-1000

French bee - the low-cost, long-haul airline (Groupe Dubreuil member) based in France - has taken delivery of its first A350-1000, on lease from Air Lease Corporation, to join its fleet and make the airline an all-A350 fleet operator.

Above: Air Caraïbes and French bee A350-1000.
Copyright Airbus

The aircraft is the first of two A350-1000s to be operated by the carrier on route from Paris to Saint Denis de La Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

The A350-1000s will complement the four A350-900 aircraft already in the French bee fleet, providing the airline with unrivalled operational flexibility and eco-efficient solutions for its network.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The aircraft features 480 seats in a two-class layout (40 premium class and 440 economy class), providing all the comfort and amenities of Airbus’ Airspace cabin, including state-of-the-art, in-flight passenger entertainment (IFE) and full WiFi connectivity throughout the cabin. The A350 cabin is also the quietest of any twin-aisle aircraft.

The A350-1000, Airbus’ largest widebody in the twin-engine category, features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, allowing the airline to fly long-haul destinations up to 16,000 km (8,700nm).
Together, these elements translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions and 50% reduction in noise.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Simultaneously, the Dubreuil group also takes delivery of another A350-1000 on lease from Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) intended for Air Caraïbes, bringing the number of Airbus aircraft in the group's fleet to 15.

At the end of November 2021, the A350 Family had received 913 firm orders from 49 customers worldwide.

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
Milestone reached with expansion of FRA over Scotland

Aerospace

Milestone reached with expansion of FRA over Scotland

24 March 2026

UK airspace modernisation has passed a major milestone with the expansion of Free Route Airspace (FRA) across Scottish Upper Airspace, delivering significant environmental and operational benefits for the aviation industry.

Global carbon standard reveals latest airport climate action worldwide

Aerospace

Global carbon standard reveals latest airport climate action worldwide

24 March 2026

Airports Council International has today published the annual results on carbon performance and participation trends for its global carbon management standard for airports, Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

Aerospace

Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

24 March 2026

Commercial aircraft orders grew by 83% in February 2026 compared to February 2025 figures, marking the strongest February orderbook since 2023 according to trade association ADS.

British Airways

Aerospace Space

British Airways' first Starlink flight takes off

23 March 2026

British Airways’ first aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi took off to Houston last Thursday, the first flight operated by a UK airline featuring the innovative technology.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

Aerospace Defence Security

Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

23 March 2026

Provider of smart propulsion solutions and energy management systems for uncrewed vehicles, ePropelled, has opened its new Global Innovation Centre in Coventry, expanding the UK’s sovereign capability in electric and hybrid propulsion as the company scales toward producing more than one million propulsion systems annually by 2027.

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

Aerospace

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

19 March 2026

GE Aerospace plans to invest more than €110 million across its European manufacturing sites this year as it looks to expand production capacity, accelerate advanced manufacturing and strengthen delivery, including significant investment in the upgrade of multiple sites across the UK.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner