Germany's New 'Air Force One' Airbus A350-900 XWB; Photos, Details

German government Airbus A350-900 XWB — The first Airbus A350-900 XWB of the German Air Force's VIP fleet. Christian Charisius/picture alliance/Getty

2020-08-21T14:57:23Z

Germany's new "Air Force One" was first delivered to the armed forces in August 2020.
The Airbus A350-900 XWB replaced the country's A340-300 fleet acquired from flag carrier Lufthansa.
The purchase came in 2019 following mechanical issues with the existing VIP fleet.

The German Air Force is saying goodbye to the last of its VIP Airbus A340-300 aircraft.

Starting in mid-January 2024, the 24-year-old plane, registered 16+01, will be auctioned by the state-owned trust company Vebeg. It is unclear who will purchase the plane, though its history of mechanical problems may put off potential buyers, according to Simple Flying.

The sale follows a mid-air mechanical issue on the A340 fleet while then-German chancellor Angela Merkel was en route to the G20 summit in Argentina, according to Germany's state-funded international news outlet Deutsche Welle, forcing her to fly commercial instead.

The same plane also experienced a hydraulic failure in June 2018, and a tire blowout in New York in 2019, per the DW. More recently, in August 2023, 16+01 experienced an electrical failure over Abu Dhabi and forced German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to cancel her trip.

The A340 is the second plane to leave the German Air Force fleet this year. In September, 16+02 was sold off to an undisclosed buyer shortly after both aircraft were pulled from service due to continued mechanical faults, the Dutch aviation news outlet Scramble reported.

Despite the losses, Germany already has a new flagship jet.

In August 2020, Lufthansa Technik handed over the first of three A350-900 XWBs to the Bundeswehr – Germany's armed forces – that will fly Germany's top government officials around the world.

Much like the country's flag carrier, Lufthansa, the German government will benefit from the jet's efficiency by trading in four engines for two and gaining additional range capabilities of around 800 nautical miles, according to Airbus.

Take a look at the Germany's version of "Air Force One."

The then-German defense minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, received the first Airbus A350-900 XWB in Hamburg in August 2020 during a handover ceremony with Lufthansa Technik.

Source: German Ministry of Defense

Airbus delivered the aircraft in May 2020, but the interior completion work was handled by the maintenance, completions, repair, and overhaul division of the German flag carrier.

Source: German Ministry of Defense

Germany ordered three Airbus A350 aircraft in 2019 as a replacement to the aging Airbus A340-300 fleet that flew top government officials around the world.

Angela Merkel Airbus A350 — German Chancellor Angela Merkel with an Airbus A350 aircraft. Sean Gallup/Getty

Source: Airbus

Here's the 16+02 A340 of the Bundeswehr's fleet. The four-engine jets were received second-hand from Lufthansa but have both been pulled from service and put up for sale.

German government Airbus A340 — The German Air Force's Airbus A340-300 aircraft. Bernd von Jutrczenka/picture alliance/Getty

Source: Planespotters.net

The A340s will give way to the A350s, offering the government a modern and efficient aircraft to represent Germany abroad.

The A350 has exploded in popularity since its commercial debut in 2015 with Qatar Airways.

A Qatar Airways Airbus A350-900 XWB. Soos Jozsef / Shutterstock.com

Source: FlightGlobal

It's since joined the fleet of global carriers like Cathay Pacific...

FILE PHOTO: A Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350-900 airplane approaches to land at Changi International Airport in Singapore June 10, 2018. REUTERS/Tim Chong — A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900 XWB. Reuters

Air France...

Singapore Airlines...

Iberia...

South African Airways...

And, of course, Lufthansa.

A Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 XWB. Kenken_spotter / Shutterstock.com

The aircraft is painted in the traditional German Air Force VIP livery, an all-white fuselage with a cheatline in the colors of the country's flag.

The official name of the country "Bundesrepublik Deutschland," or Federal Republic of Germany in English, sits in all capital letters over the windows on both sides of the aircraft.

And just next to the second boarding door is the logo of the Flugbereitschaft, or the Executive Transport Wing of the German Air Force.

The first Airbus A350-900 XWB of the German Air Force's VIP fleet. Christian Charisius/picture alliance/Getty

Germany touted the aircraft's efficiency in its statement announcing the handover with the A350 providing at least a 25% better fuel burn.

Source: Airbus

It can also fly members of the German government further than its older jets, with nearly every foreign capital city accessible with a non-stop flight on the A350.

Powering the aircraft and contributing to its efficiency are two massive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Nowhere is the A350's advanced capabilities more apparent than in the cockpit.

High-definition screens line the primary panel and the plane can also be fitted with cameras so pilots and passengers have an outside view no matter where they're sitting.

Airbus A350 cockpit — The cockpit of an Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Airbus even developed software for the A350 to taxi, take off, and land entirely on its own. It isn't likely featured on this aircraft, however.

Though received by the defense minister, all top-level German politicians now use the aircraft with the third being delivered in March 2023.

Source: German Ministry of Defense, FlightGlobal

It is now the new face of Germany during every foreign trip or state visit by the country's leadership.

The A350 is fitting for the German government as Airbus production sites across the country help build each model.

Source: Airbus

The wings, rear fuselage, vertical tail plane, upper wing shell, and electronic communications systems are all constructed or assembled in Germany.

Source: Airbus

Once assembled, they're shipped to Toulouse, France where they're pieced together and the sum of the parts is revealed.

An Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft transporting aircraft parts. Volar sin Parar/Shutterstock.com

Airbus – as a European company – also has a large final assembly line in Hamburg at Finkenwerder Airport.

Airbus Hamburg Germany — Airbus' production facility at Hamburg's Finkenwerder Airport. TLF_Stockphoto/Shutterstock.com

It's dedicated to the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and is one of four final assembly lines for the type, with the others in Toulouse; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, Alabama.

Airbus Delivery Centre Hamburg — The Airbus A320 delivery centre at Hamburg's Finkenwerder Airport. Tobias Arhelger/Shutterstock.com

Source: Airbus

The aircraft are fit with luxury interiors – like this one on the VIP Airbus A340 aircraft – so it can act as a true flying office for those officials using it.

Source: German Ministry of Defense

Germany has put its VIP Airbus A340 up for sale, but it is not left without a flagship jet. Meet the country's version of Air Force One.

The then-German defense minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, received the first Airbus A350-900 XWB in Hamburg in August 2020 during a handover ceremony with Lufthansa Technik.

Airbus delivered the aircraft in May 2020, but the interior completion work was handled by the maintenance, completions, repair, and overhaul division of the German flag carrier.

Germany ordered three Airbus A350 aircraft in 2019 as a replacement to the aging Airbus A340-300 fleet that flew top government officials around the world.

Here's the 16+02 A340 of the Bundeswehr's fleet. The four-engine jets were received second-hand from Lufthansa but have both been pulled from service and put up for sale.

The A340s will give way to the A350s, offering the government a modern and efficient aircraft to represent Germany abroad.

The A350 has exploded in popularity since its commercial debut in 2015 with Qatar Airways.

It's since joined the fleet of global carriers like Cathay Pacific...

Air France...

Singapore Airlines...

Iberia...

South African Airways...

And, of course, Lufthansa.

The aircraft is painted in the traditional German Air Force VIP livery, an all-white fuselage with a cheatline in the colors of the country's flag.

The official name of the country "Bundesrepublik Deutschland," or Federal Republic of Germany in English, sits in all capital letters over the windows on both sides of the aircraft.

And just next to the second boarding door is the logo of the Flugbereitschaft, or the Executive Transport Wing of the German Air Force.

Germany touted the aircraft's efficiency in its statement announcing the handover with the A350 providing at least a 25% better fuel burn.

It can also fly members of the German government further than its older jets, with nearly every foreign capital city accessible with a non-stop flight on the A350.

Powering the aircraft and contributing to its efficiency are two massive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Nowhere is the A350's advanced capabilities more apparent than in the cockpit.

High-definition screens line the primary panel and the plane can also be fitted with cameras so pilots and passengers have an outside view no matter where they're sitting.

Airbus even developed software for the A350 to taxi, take off, and land entirely on its own. It isn't likely featured on this aircraft, however.

Though received by the defense minister, all top-level German politicians now use the aircraft with the third being delivered in March 2023.

It is now the new face of Germany during every foreign trip or state visit by the country's leadership.

The A350 is fitting for the German government as Airbus production sites across the country help build each model.

The wings, rear fuselage, vertical tail plane, upper wing shell, and electronic communications systems are all constructed or assembled in Germany.

Once assembled, they're shipped to Toulouse, France where they're pieced together and the sum of the parts is revealed.

Airbus – as a European company – also has a large final assembly line in Hamburg at Finkenwerder Airport.

It's dedicated to the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and is one of four final assembly lines for the type, with the others in Toulouse; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, Alabama.

The aircraft are fit with luxury interiors – like this one on the VIP Airbus A340 aircraft – so it can act as a true flying office for those officials using it.

And, the government will no longer have to worry about the mechanical failures that stranded Merkel in 2018.

nproxy.org

Germany has put its VIP Airbus A340 up for sale, but it is not left without a flagship jet. Meet the country's version of Air Force One.

The then-German defense minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, received the first Airbus A350-900 XWB in Hamburg in August 2020 during a handover ceremony with Lufthansa Technik.

Airbus delivered the aircraft in May 2020, but the interior completion work was handled by the maintenance, completions, repair, and overhaul division of the German flag carrier.

Germany ordered three Airbus A350 aircraft in 2019 as a replacement to the aging Airbus A340-300 fleet that flew top government officials around the world.

Here's the 16+02 A340 of the Bundeswehr's fleet. The four-engine jets were received second-hand from Lufthansa but have both been pulled from service and put up for sale.

The A340s will give way to the A350s, offering the government a modern and efficient aircraft to represent Germany abroad.

The A350 has exploded in popularity since its commercial debut in 2015 with Qatar Airways.

It's since joined the fleet of global carriers like Cathay Pacific...

Air France...

Singapore Airlines...

Iberia...

South African Airways...

And, of course, Lufthansa.

The aircraft is painted in the traditional German Air Force VIP livery, an all-white fuselage with a cheatline in the colors of the country's flag.

The official name of the country "Bundesrepublik Deutschland," or Federal Republic of Germany in English, sits in all capital letters over the windows on both sides of the aircraft.

And just next to the second boarding door is the logo of the Flugbereitschaft, or the Executive Transport Wing of the German Air Force.

Germany touted the aircraft's efficiency in its statement announcing the handover with the A350 providing at least a 25% better fuel burn.

It can also fly members of the German government further than its older jets, with nearly every foreign capital city accessible with a non-stop flight on the A350.

Powering the aircraft and contributing to its efficiency are two massive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Nowhere is the A350's advanced capabilities more apparent than in the cockpit.

High-definition screens line the primary panel and the plane can also be fitted with cameras so pilots and passengers have an outside view no matter where they're sitting.

Airbus even developed software for the A350 to taxi, take off, and land entirely on its own. It isn't likely featured on this aircraft, however.

Though received by the defense minister, all top-level German politicians now use the aircraft with the third being delivered in March 2023.

It is now the new face of Germany during every foreign trip or state visit by the country's leadership.

The A350 is fitting for the German government as Airbus production sites across the country help build each model.

The wings, rear fuselage, vertical tail plane, upper wing shell, and electronic communications systems are all constructed or assembled in Germany.

Once assembled, they're shipped to Toulouse, France where they're pieced together and the sum of the parts is revealed.

Airbus – as a European company – also has a large final assembly line in Hamburg at Finkenwerder Airport.

It's dedicated to the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and is one of four final assembly lines for the type, with the others in Toulouse; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, Alabama.

The aircraft are fit with luxury interiors – like this one on the VIP Airbus A340 aircraft – so it can act as a true flying office for those officials using it.

And, the government will no longer have to worry about the mechanical failures that stranded Merkel in 2018.

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