Airbus A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body)
Airbus A350-941 (B-32DW) China Eastern Airlines
The Airbus A350 is a wide-body, twin-engine long-range passenger aircraft developed by Airbus. The A350 program was unveiled in 2004 as a response to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Initially, the plan was to upgrade the Airbus A330 by adding composite wings, winglets, and modern engines. However, due to insufficient demand, in 2006 Airbus shifted to developing a new aircraft (XWB) powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The prototype’s maiden flight took place on June 14, 2013, from Toulouse, France. Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was received in September 2014, and from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) two months later.
The first A350-900 entered service on January 15, 2015, with Qatar Airways, and the A350-1000 on February 24, 2018. As of March 2026, Singapore Airlines operates the largest fleet (65), while Turkish Airlines is the largest customer (110). A total of 1,564 A350s have been ordered: 710 have been delivered, and 709 are in service with 38 airlines.
The A350 replaced the A340 and competes with the Boeing 777 and its future successor, the 777X, as well as the Boeing 787.
Variants
Three variants of the A350 were unveiled in 2006, with delivery scheduled for 2013. At the 2011 Air Show in Paris, the delivery of the A350-1000 was postponed until mid-2017. In July 2012, the launch date was moved to the second half of 2014, but the A350-900 entered service on January 15, 2015. Development of the A350-800 was canceled in 2014 in favor of the A330neo.
A350-900
The A350-900 (ICAO code: A359) is the first model in the A350 series. It can carry up to 325 passengers, has a maximum takeoff weight of 283 tons (for the Trent XWB-84 engine) or 255 tons (for the Trent XWB-75), and a range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km). Airbus claims that the A350-900 is more fuel-efficient and effective than the Boeing 777-200ER. This aircraft was designed to compete with the Boeing 777-200LR and 787-10, as well as to replace the Airbus A340-500 and Boeing 777-200ER.
To increase the flight range, the A350-900R variant was proposed. It is equipped with more powerful engines, a reinforced structure, and landing gear, similar to the A350-1000. This would allow for an increased range of up to 9,300 km.
A350-900ULR
The A350-900ULR (Weighted Variant 13) is an ultra-long-range version of the A350 with a maximum takeoff weight of 280 tons and a fuel capacity of 165,000 liters, enabling nonstop flights of up to 19 hours over a range of 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 km). The first flight took place on April 23, 2018.
The aircraft retain the A350-941 type certificate; the increased fuel capacity is achieved through a modified fuel system without the installation of auxiliary tanks.
ACJ350
The corporate version of the Airbus A350, known as the ACJ350, is based on the A350-900ULR model. Enlarged fuel tanks allow the ACJ350 to fly distances of up to 20,550 km.
A350-900 Regional
Following the unveiling of the Boeing 787-10, Airbus discussed the development of the A350-900 Regional with a lower takeoff weight of 250 tons. The aircraft was intended for routes of up to 12,600 km with a capacity of 360 passengers. The A350 technical specifications list takeoff weights ranging from 210 to 283 tons.
A350-1000
The A350-1000 (A35K) is the largest variant of the A350 family, with a length of 73.8 m and a capacity of 369 passengers in a two-class configuration. Its range is 9,000 nautical miles (16,600 km). Designed to replace the A340-600 and compete with the Boeing 777-300ER and 777-8, it has a lower operating weight, lower operating costs, and greater range compared to the 777-9. The 7-meter-longer fuselage allows for an increase of 40 seats and a 40% increase in premium seats.
The A350-1000 is equipped with a 6-wheel main landing gear, increased thrust of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines to 97,000 pounds, and a 4% wing extension, which improves takeoff and cruise performance. The first A350-1000, A7-ANA, was delivered to Qatar Airways in 2018.
The maximum takeoff weight was increased from 308 to 316 tons, and then to 322 tons, which allowed the range to be extended to 8,400 nautical miles (15,500 km). In November 2019, the number of seats was increased from 440 to 480.
A350F
The A350-900 freighter was first unveiled in 2007 and was intended to have a range of 9,250 km, matching that of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11F. In 2020, Airbus announced the development of the A350F with a payload capacity of over 90 tons and a range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km).
The A350-1000F (or A350F) will feature a cargo door on the main deck, a 10% increase in cargo volume (695 m³), and a maximum takeoff weight of 319 tons. It will be 6.9 m longer than the Boeing 777F, but its empty weight will be lower.
Possible variants
Shortened A350-800
The 60.45-meter-long A350-800 is designed to carry 276 passengers, with a range of 15,270 km and a takeoff weight of 259 tons. It was designed as a scaled-down version of the A350-900 to simplify development and increase payload capacity, but at the cost of higher fuel consumption. By 2008, there were 182 orders, but these declined following the unveiling of the A330neo. In 2014, development of the A350-800 was canceled.
Enlarged A350-1000
In 2011, Airbus upgraded the A350-1000, increasing its weight and engine power for trans-Pacific flights. This attracted Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Emirates canceled an order for 50 A350-900/1000s due to the changes.
Type certification was granted by EASA and the FAA on November 21, 2017. The first production aircraft was delivered to Qatar Airways on February 20, 2018, and entered service on the Doha–London route on February 24.
Possible Further Lengthening (A350-2000)
Airbus has considered the possibility of lengthening the aircraft, which would allow for the addition of 45 seats. A potential length increase of 4 meters (13 feet) fits within the design framework of four pairs of doors. A slight increase in maximum takeoff weight from 308 to 319 tons would require only 3% more thrust, which falls within the capabilities of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine.
This variant was planned as a replacement for the 747-400. It was originally referred to as the A350-8000, -2000, or -1100.
Airbus A350-900 (B-1080) Air China in El Prat airport (Barcelona, Spain)
Manufacturer: Airbus SE
Assembly: Airbus Toulouse (France)
First flight: 14 June 2013
Years of production: 2010—
Production: 710 (all modifications)
Length: 66.80 m (219 ft 1.9 in)
Wingspan: 64.75 m (212 ft 5.2 in)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 315 passengers
Engine: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84
Maximum speed: 950 km/h (591 mph / 513 kn)
Range: 15,750 km (9600 mi / 8500 nmi)
Service ceiling: 13,100 m (43,100 ft)
Empty weight: 115,700 kg (255,075 lb)
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