Airbus A350

The Airbus A350 is a two-engine, long-range, wide-body airliner, which was launched in 2006, partly in response to Boeing’s development of the 787 Dreamliner. It is available in three variants: A350-900, A350-900ULR and A350-1000. Over 70 per cent of the airframe is constructed from composite materials of carbon, titanium and aluminium alloys leading to a light structure which, when combined with the latest generation Rolls-Royce XWB turbofans, has resulted in an aircraft with 25 per cent lower operating costs and a significant reduction in fuel burn and carbon-dioxide emissions. The A350-900 first flew in June 2013 and entered service less than two years later. The stretched A350-1000 made its maiden flight in November 2016 and began commercial flights in February 2018. The A350 provides airlines with flexibility and versatility in the range/payload combinations that it offers and by September 2013, almost 1,000 aircraft had been ordered.