Tibet Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft, marking a new wide-body era for the Lhasa-based carrier.

The A330-200 aircraft, Registration B-8420, is the first 242 tonnes maximum take-off-weight (MTOW) version to be operated by a Chinese airline. The increased MTOW allows airlines to operate from the most demanding high altitude airports where take off performance, additional range and improved operating costs are key.

The A330-200 aircraft is configured with 279 seats in a three-class cabin layout (12 in business, 32 in premium economy, and 235 in economy) and deployed to open up new international routes.

On July 6, Tibet Airlines put its A330-200 aircraft into operation, starting with domestic services of Chengdu-Lhasa and Lhasa-Beijing.

Tibet Airlines is famous for its high-altitude operations with scheduled domestic passenger and cargo services out of Lhasa Airport, one of the world's highest airports at an altitude of 3,500 meters.

Following the Airbus video, get how to build the first A330 for Tibet Airlines as it advances through the manufacturing process - from delivery of components to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France, and concluding with the milestone jetliner in flight.

Related News:

    Photos: Tibet Airlines Enters Wide-Body Era with Arrival of First A330 Aircraft