Tu-204-300 Flies To Vladivostok With Test Crew, Company Touts Ability To Serve Hot Food

The Tupolev design bureau has completed a certification flight for the newest airliner to emerge from the famed design company, the Tu-204-300, the latest variant of the Tu-204 product line. The aircraft flew from Moscow to Vladivostok with an engineering crew.

The mission during the flight was to analize the performance of onboard systems, as well as the fuel and commercial efficiency of the aircraft. Full certification of the Tu-204-300 is expected soon, and four of the aircraft are expected to enter service with its launch customer, Vladivostok Avia, soon thereafter.

The new aircraft features greater leg room in economy and business class, and upgraded interiors using modern materials and advanced armchairs made in Russian. In addition, onboard systems feature a 12-channel audio system and the ability to heat food for passengers in the kitchen.

(Ed: We at ANN are not quite sure what this galley information means, except perhaps to emphasize that Russian airlines are now serving hot food to their customers, while many US airlines are not. -- Ed. JJ)

FMI: www.tupolev.ru/English/