Sichuan Airlines Panda Route A350s

Sichuan Airlines started A350 operations in August 2018, when it accepted its first example, leased from AerCap. The aircraft, configured in a two class 331 seat layout (28 business and 303 economy) sported a special Panda Route livery and each A350 since delivered has sported its own version of the scheme. The base livery features playful cartoon Pandas and bamboo leaves in different configurations.

Infographic courtesy of Airbus and downloaded from this page: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2018-08-sichuan-airlines-takes-delivery-of-its-first-airbus-a350-900

Sichuan has been a long-standing Airbus customer, having operated A320s since 1995. In 2010, Sichuan Airlines received its first A330 aircraft, in 2016 it signed a Letter of Intent for leasing four A350-900s, and in 2018 it signed an agreement with Airbus to order ten A350-900s.

Sichuan province is a major habitat for the Giant Panda and home to the species largest captive breeding centre. Sichuan Airlines partners with Panda conservation projects and a Panda named 3U (also Sichuan's IATA code) is the official mascot of the Panda Route services (which is the name given to Sichuan Airlines international services).

B-301D

DELIVERED: 08/08/18

Registered as F-WZFK at Airbus this frame (MSN 060), along with the next two, was originally scheduled for delivery to Sri-Lankan Airlines. All three had been completed in 2016 and sat in an all white scheme awaiting new owners. Originally expected to be 4R-XWC with Sri-Lankan she became B-301D upon delivery arriving in Chengdu on August 9, 2018 to the usual water cannon salute. Initially the aircraft was deployed domestically on route proving flights to destinations such as Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing. In February 2019 Sichuan upgraded both their Chengdu-Auckland and Chengdu-Melbourne services from the A330 to the A350. By the end of the year B-301D could be seen at destinations such as St Petersburg and Los Angeles.

The first version of the Panda Route featured a happy Panda eating bamboo.

B-304U

DELIVERED: 26/10/18

This frame was originally scheduled for delivery to Sri-Lankan Airlines also, as 4R-XWA, but instead F-WZFB joined Sichuan in late October 2018. She was painted into standard Sichuan Airlines colours in Singapore, which was completed on November 22, 2019. She wore this scheme until early 2022 when she was repainted into special colours representing the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games.

The games themselves were supposed to be held in August 2021 but where then delayed until June 2022 and finally weren't held until July 28-August 8, 2023. The mascot was a Panda called Rongbao and "incorporates fire elements in the design of its ears, eyes and tail, while facial structure takes into account traditional Chinese aesthetics, as well as the masks of Sichuan opera, a heritage of the host city".

B-304U and B-304V wore different versions of FISU liveries, with B-304U's featuring a mainly yellow rear fuselage with runner.

B-304V

DELIVERED: 20/11/18

The last of the AerCap frames originally destined for Sri-Lankan and built in 2016, B-304V started life as F-WZFI and was supposed to become 4R-XWB. This aircraft was also originally delivered in Sichuan's standard scheme but by May 2022 had also taken up a scheme celebrating the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games. The livery worn by this aircraft focused more on the games' flame relay, with coloured bands emanating from the torch held by Rongbao the Panda.

B-306N

DELIVERED: 21/05/19

Following two of the first three Sichuan A350s being painted into standard colours the 4th aircraft, and first built for Sichuan, was painted into a new version of the Panda Route colours. Originally F-WZGT, B-306N first flew in March 2019 and was delivered at the end of May. Her first service for Sichuan was between Chengdu and Beijing on May 26th. The Panda in this scheme version is reclining on the forward fuselage. B-306N was the last new delivery prior to the COVID pandemic.

B-325J

IN SERVICE: 06/12/22

This aircraft first flew on December 1, 2021 and was officially delivered on December 30th, however it went straight into storage in France until October 20, 2022 when it was flown to Chengdu to prepare for service entry. The main Panda on this livery is looking upwards.

B-32AG

IN SERVICE: 01/12/23

As with the earlier frame B-32AG spent some time in storage, and the ex-F-WZNS remained in France for around a year after he first flight on October 26, 2022. She was finally put into service in early December 2023. The main Panda on this version of the scheme is flying superman style.

B-32F8

IN SERVICE: 05/06/24

With COVID firmly behind it Sichuan A350 deliveries have been picking up. This aircraft first flew, as F-WZGD, on September 18, 2023 and was delivered in October. Her storage lasted until June. The main Panda on this version appears to be conducting music.

B-32G2

IN SERVICE: 05/06/24

The ex-F-WZHI entered service at the same data as her sistership B-32F8 but was slightly newer, not having flown for the first time until November 12, 2023. The main Panda's on this livery are sitting with their back to the viewer listening to music.

B-32G6

The latest Sichuan A350 first flew on January 9, 2024 and upon transfer to Airbus China became B-005T. This makes it the first of Sichuan's A350s to be completed in China. The aircraft is yet to be delivered but wears her Panda Route scheme featuring a Panda reclining on a rubber ring.