The A350-900 entered commercial flying with Qatar Airways in January 2015 from Doha to Frankfurt.
In September 2023, 32 airlines have the variant. While the A350-900ULR
operates the world's longest route, what are the A350-900's shortest flights? Well,
based on data from September 2023, here is a list of those 5 shortest flights for today’s video!
At #5 is Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
Covering 184 miles (296 km), Singapore Airlines has two daily fights, making it one of Changi's
most-served A350 destinations. Most of SIA’s Kuala Lumpur flights, however, use the Boeing 737-800.
At #4 is Mauritius to Reunion.
Located just 144 miles (231 km) apart are the two Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion.
Operated by Air Mauritius, there are just 4 flights taking place through September 2023.
More specifically, these are - or were - on September 2nd, 8th, 17th, and 24th.
In third place is the 140-mile (225 km) route from
the Qatar capital of Doha to Saudi Arabia's Dammam.
This route featured just one A350-900 flight in September, which, admittedly,
is enough to qualify for inclusion in this list. Obviously, it is by Qatar Airways,
which also uses many other jets on this city pair during September, including the 737 MAX 8,
A320, 777-300ER, 777-200LR, 787-8, A350-1000, A330-300, and 787-9.
In 2nd place is Milan to Zurich - more specifically, an Ethiopian
Airlines service between Milan Malpensa and Zurich Airport. Part of a one-stop routing,
the 348-seat A350-900 serves the 127-mile (204 km) route four times weekly.
It has fifth freedom traffic rights, so passengers can even fly between the two European airports!
Like most of the Star Alliance's Europe flights,
it remains on the ground all day to ensure massive onward connectivity across Africa.
And finally, at just 72 miles (116 km), the link between Douala (Cameroon) and Malabo (Equatorial
Guinea) is the world's shortest scheduled A350-900 flight by all metrics: distance,
block time, and flight time. It operates as part of a triangular routing to/from Addis Ababa.
Depending on the day, Ethiopian Airlines routes the aircraft differently. You might
see Addis-Douala-Malabo-Addis (often four weekly A350) or Addis-Malabo-Douala-Addis (three weekly).
While the Airbus widebody is Ethiopian Airlines' most-used equipment on the routes,
the 787 is also deployed in September.
Regardless of direction, the Douala-Malabo and Malabo-Douala legs (which are bookable) have a
block time of just 45 minutes - BUT Analysis of FlightRadar24.com information shows that
the Douala-Malabo actual flight time is as little as 15 minutes and as few as 21 minutes
in the other direction! Hardly enough time to really enjoy the aircraft in our opinion!
Have you flown the A350-900 on any of these routes? If so, let us know by leaving a comment!
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