Before the world's first A330neo, which will be operated by TAP and is expected to arrive in the second half of the year, the A320neo 'Padre Américo', arrived at our hangars,
This is the first of the new aircraft that, over the next few years, will join the TAP fleet, which will allow TAP to become the carrier with one of the most modern fleets to its service worldwide.
Padre Américo is the first A320neo at TAP’s service
In a tribute to the founder of ‘Casa do Gaiato’, TAP baptized its first neo with the name 'Padre Américo'. The aircraft arrived in Lisbon on April 17th and the work inside the cabin is currently being carried out by TAP ME teams, with the maiden flight scheduled for the Children’s Day, on June 1st.
'Padre Américo' arrived at TAP on April 17th.
Review the arrival of the first A320neo to Lisbon video
here.
The future is coming – TAP pilots flew on the new A330neo for the first time
It was an unprecedented action in aviation. Two TAP pilots made a test flight of the new A330-900neo, on March 20th in Toulouse, France. Nuno Cardoso, Chief Pilot of the A330/A340 TAP fleet, and Victor Pereira, Instruction Coordinator of the A330 TAP fleet, tested the aircraft to demonstrate the performance of this new member of the Airbus family, which is usually made exclusively by the Airbus pilot teams.
Nuno Cardoso and Victor Pereira, in the A330-900 cockpit. Photograph of S. Ramadier © Airbus 2018
Nuno Cardoso shared his experience after the flight –"We tested the aircraft in different flight configurations, which only take place in a simulator. We are very pleased with the behavior of our future new aircraft." The Captain further explains that the A330neo incorporates the latest generation of Rolls-Royce reactors and presents improvements in aerodynamics, which allow a reduction in fuel consumption of around 14 % per airplane seat.
The great news of the A330neo
In addition to the reactors news and the aircraft efficiency, which will have a great impact on the Airline itself, TAP Customers can also expect big differences. The A330-900neo will be the first aircraft equipped with the new version of Airbus' cabin Airspace, a new concept of innovative design that will include a LED lighting system with a range of colours, bigger compartments of luggage, modern bathrooms, IFE onboard entertainment systems and connectivity of the latest generation.
Expectations are high and will certainly not be defrauded. The Future is coming.