Fiji Airways’ first of two Airbus A350 XWBs has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France featuring the airline’s signature livery. The aircraft, an A350-900, will be the first of its kind operated by an airline in the South Pacific region.

The aircraft will next proceed to the final phase of the assembly process, with the installation of its Rolls Royce engines followed by ground and flight tests, before delivery to Fiji Airways later this year. Fiji Airways ordered the carbon-composite aircraft with Airbus only a few months ago.

The Airbus A350 will feature 33 Collins Aerospace Super Diamond, fully lie-flat Business-Class beds, with each offering direct aisle access. Economy Class will feature 301 Recaro CL3710 seats, which are ranked among the most comfortable long-haul economy class seats on the market. The aircraft will be deployed to enhance existing long-haul services from Fiji to Australia and the US, and to provide the opportunity to open additional routes.The second aircraft delivery is set for December this year.