Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, the second mainland Chinese operator to receive the type – hours after the initial delivery to Air China.

The delivery date, 8 August, is significant in Chinese culture, with the numeral '8' signifying good fortune.

Airbus says Sichuan Airlines is taking the jet, MSN60, through lessor AerCap and, in doing so, becomes the first Chinese mainland operator to receive a leased A350.

Sichuan’s aircraft is configured with 331 seats in two classes, with 28 in the business cabin and 303 in economy.

All A350s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Sichuan Airlines A350-900

Source: Cirium Dashboard