Gallery: Airbus A330neo route-proving flights continue with TAP

Karen Walker July 06, 2018
Credit: Karen Walker

TAP intends to first operate the -900neo on premium routes such as Lisbon-Sao Paulo and Lisbon-New York, but with seven scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018, expects to see the aircraft widely deployed soon to its Americas’ destinations.

Credit: Karen Walker

The aircraft is powered by the new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000.

Credit: Karen Walker

The lie-flat business seats and slim-line economy seats are supplied by Recaro, while the IFE systems are Pansonic’s EX3. 

Credit: Karen Walker

The joint route proving flights, also known as function and reliability tests, are part of the work required by civil aviation authorities and must include short, and long flights as well as flights in different environmental conditions. For the -900neo, these have included flights in Kazakhstan for cold weather, Mexico for hot weather, Bolivia for high altitude, and Ireland for strong wind conditions. 

Credit: Karen Walker

TAP is configuring its -900neos with 298 seats in a three-class cabin comprising 34 business-class seats 96 economy Xtra seats with a 34-in. seat pitch and 68 regular economy with a 31-in. pitch. 

Credit: Karen Walker

Airbus has two more -900s participating in the certification program and anticipates completion this summer.

Credit: Karen Walker

In business, the IFE screen has been certified so that it can be unlocked and extended during takeoff and landing. The center twin seats in the 1-2-1 business cabin alternate between pairs that allow traveling companions to be closer together and pairs that offer more individual privacy.

Credit: Karen Walker

Airbus has secured 214 firm orders for the -900neo, with customers including AirAsia X, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and several lessors.

Credit: Karen Walker

The A330-900neo has a range of 6,550 nautical miles with a typical seat capacity of 287.

Credit: Karen Walker

Business-class IFE.

Airbus continued its route-proving program toward A330neo certification July 7, completing a 2-hr. leg from Chicago O’Hare to Atlanta Hartsfield. This part of the testing used an A330-900neo that will be delivered to TAP Air Portugal, which has ordered 21 of the type. 

ATW Editor-in-chief Karen Walker brings you photos from the flight.

Karen Walker

Karen Walker is Air Transport World Editor-in-Chief and Aviation Week Network Group Air Transport Editor-in-Chief. She joined ATW in 2011 and oversees the editorial content and direction of ATW, Routes and Aviation Week Group air transport content.