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The TAP airlines Airbus A330neo sits on the tarmac in Atlanta. It's the first A330neo to take to the sky. Pending certification, TAP hopes to put the plane into service in the fall.

Photos & Videos

TAP introduces the Airbus A330neo

The TAP airlines Airbus A330neo sits on the tarmac in Atlanta. It's the first A330neo to take to the sky. Pending certification, TAP hopes to put the plane into service in the fall. Photo Credit: TW photo by Robert Silk

The TAP airlines Airbus A330neo sits on the tarmac in Atlanta. It's the first A330neo to take to the sky. Pending certification, TAP hopes to put the plane into service in the fall.

TAP will configure its A330neos with 298 seats in two cabin classes. The main cabin will consist of 264 seats with Economy seats having 31 inches between rows and Economy Xtra offering 34 inches of pitch.

This Rolls Royce Trent 7,000 turbofan engine has a diameter of 112 inches, 14.5 more inches than older generation A330s. It's one of the reasons the A330neo has a 25 percent lower fuel burn per seat.

Airbus has designed the overhead bins on the A330neo with added depth and without a central bar dividing the bins in two. The result is more stowage. Airbus says five full carry-ons can fit where three would have on older generation A330s.

The wings on the A330neo are four meters longer than on older generation A330s. The aircraft also has the upward facaing sharklets on the wing tips to help with aerodynamics. Combined, those features increase fuel efficiency by 4 percent, Airbus says.

TAP has configured the business class on its A330neos in a 1-2-1 lie-flat configuration. The Portuguese carrier has ordered 21 A330neos and plans to take delivery of seven this year.

Airbus is introducing its Airspace cabin concept with the launch of the A330neo line. With Airspace, the aerospace giant promises to provide more well being for passengers while keeping airlines in mind. As part of Airspace, planes will have uninterrupted straight lines, like this one, which Airbus says creates a more roomy feel.