First A350 flight into YVR

Tuesday March 28 2017 marked the first commercial flight of the Airbus A350 into YVR and Canada (by Cathay Pacific Airlines). Like any other time a new aircraft type flies into YVR or any other airport there are usually “Plane Spotters” there to see and photograph the aircraft/event. The weather Tuesday was absolutely terrible so only the diehard spotters made it out for the arrival and or departure. YVR treats the plane spotting community pretty well especially on these special occasions and Tuesday was no different. Coffee, doughnuts and some swag were provided for the spotters by YVR.

We were hoping the A350 would land on the south runway which is closest to the south side viewing platform but sadly it landed on the north runway. (Weather, air traffic and other factors play into which runway is used so while disappointing it’s no ones’ fault.)  Some spotters tried to race over to the north side for the arrival but I don’t think they made it in time.

Several of us decided to stay for the departure a few hours later and luckily it worked out that it would take off on the south runway which is closest to the spotting platform.

Plane Spotters brave the rain for the A350
A350 arrival into YVR
A350 first departure from YVR
A350 first departure from YVR
Helicopter covering the A350 event
A350 first departure from YVR

Plane Spotters in the rain