Airbus A350

available in 2013

The Airbus A350XWB (Xtra Wide Body) aircraft was introduced in December 2006 and is yet to have it's maiden flight.

The A350 is Airbus' response to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after Boeing claimed that their aircraft would reduce 20% lower fuel consumption than similar aircraft of today.

Initially Airbus was given the go ahead to respond to their own customers demand and to create an aircraft that would compete with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner project. The result was not considered to be acceptable by some of Airbus' more important customers.

Therefore Airbus went back to the drawing board and came up with a much improved design. Hence the Airbus A350XWB.

With this new design Airbus is expecting to finish with an aircraft that will please the airline industry (Airbus' customers), passengers (larger, lighter seating), and the environment (reduction in fuel consumption and therefore emissions).

Variants of the A350

When Airbus launched the A350 in 2006 it did so with three variants:-

A350-800: A 270 passenger aircraft in a three class format expected to enter service in 2014.
A350-900: A 314 passenger aircraft also in a three class format seating 9 passengers abreast and will enter service in 2013.
A350-1000: Will seat 350 passengers in a three class format and will enter service in 2015.

Orders Placed for the A350

Several airline companies have expressed interest in the A350 by placing orders. Some of these airlines are:-

Aeroflot Russian Airlines
International Lease Finance Corp
Asiana Airlines
Qatar Airways
DAE Capital
Singapore Airlines
Emirates Airline
TAM Airlines
Etihad Airways
US Airways

A350 Dimensions

The dimensions and specifications of the A350 aircraft are as follows:- (based on the A350-1000)

Aircraft Length 73.8m or 242 feet
Aircraft Height 17m or 55 feet 5 inches
Wingspan 64m or 209 feet 10 inches
Cross Section 5.6m or 18 feet 5 inches
Passengers 350 people
Cruising Speed 903 km/h (.85 Mach)
Top Speed 945 km/h (.89 Mach)
Range Up To 14,800 km or 7,990 nm

A350 Airbus Seating

The seating arrangement in the A350 differs in each class.

First Class

Will differ from each aircraft and each airline.

Business Class

Will be in a 2 - 2 - 2 arrangement.

Economy Class

Will be in a 2 - 4 - 2 arrangement.

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