Airbus rolls out first A350-1000

By David Flynn, August 1 2016
Airbus rolls out first A350-1000

The first Airbus A350-1000 has rolled out of the hangar at Airbus' Toulouse factory, with the stretched jetliner set to make its maiden flight by year's end.

A larger to the A350-900 – which is now flown by Cathay Pacific, FinnairSingapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, among others – the ‘dash 1000’ will seat an estimated 366 passengers in a standard three-class layout (assuming business class, premium economy and economy) compared to around 325 on the smaller A350-900.

Qatar Airways will be the first airline to fly the Airbus A350-1000, with that commercial debut taking place in 2017.

Qatar's A350-1000 will feature Qatar's next generation 'super business class', which will use suite-like sliding doors for privacy and is expected to include a double bed in at least the middle pair of seats.

Read more: Qatar Airways to reveal 'Super Business Class' seat in November

The Airbus A350 family burns less fuel and produces fewer emissions than most current aircraft, with over two-thirds of the A350’s chassis cast from advanced materials including carbon-fibre composites, titanium and aluminium alloys.

Another marquee customer for the A350-1000 is Virgin Atlantic, with Brit billionaire Sir Richard Branson planning to buy eight and lease four more in a move which he said will see the aircraft become Virgin's “future flagship” as its aging Boeing 747s are put out to pasture.

Also on the A350-1000 waiting list are Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, LATAM and United Airlines.

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David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Can't wait to see it in the air!

Virgin's wish list??? - In front of or behind the A388?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Aug 2014

Total posts 501

Will Qantas convert their A380 orders to this plane or will they go with the 777-8X?

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Sep 2012

Total posts 232

Only time will tell.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 390

Hopefully more A380's

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1557

Hopefully not – ugliest plane in the sky, though it is subjective.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2013

Total posts 387

So what even if it might be one of the ugliest it shouldn't put anyone off flying in one. It is a superbly well engineered aircraft that says comfort more than any other aircraft. Plus even for the people who may call it ugly does it matter when your inside (and marvel and the fantastic cabins that airlines can offer in the A380)

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1557

Tupolev (famous soviet era aerospace engineer) said onece “Ugly plane will never fly”. Strictly speaking incorrect, but I agree with his sentiments. It is very pleasant when plane looks nice, especially in the sky. Above all (if not count military stuff) I like B747 – IMHO best looking big plane. In general Airbus planes looks plain, though A350 looks not bad. A380 IMHO is just ugly double-deck hangar with wings. YMMV of course.

And BTW would you buy car that looks ugly outside and incredibly comfy inside? Most likely not.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge

01 Sep 2011

Total posts 415

in my view when t comes to attractive looking planes, I go for the 707 and more recently the A340... very pretty

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 390

I don't know about you, but when i fly I look for comfort and space, particularly when in these things for 20+ hours. Clearly many people like the A380 as they seek this aircraft out of any other. It's certainly better then the over rated 787 anyday!!

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1557

Comfort inside airplane mainly governs by installed seats. So any day I will prefer business seats in my most hated airplane to economy seats in most adorable. There is one noticeable exception – modern aircrafts that made of composite materials (B787 and A350) can withstand more pressure, so they pump more air inside and this definitely increase apparent comfort. So all the same I rather fly B787/A350 than A380 - IMHO they far better. Comfort of flight is govern by carrier – i.e. how much effort they prepare to put to avoid any potential turbulence. So all the same I would prefer full service carrier to any low cost one – later most concentrated on fuel savings rather than passengers comfort.

BTW I read an article that speculates that if we see oil price at current level long enough then superjumbos will be doomed. It is because they loose the edge to be competitive per seat in situation when fuel is most expensive part of the flight. When fuel relatively cheap operation cost and ability to be more flexible with load (easier on smaller aircrafts) take precedence. So that article predict that 2 engine medium to big size aircrafts will dominate the sky in next decade. Generally I agree.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 390

As I have no control over what aircraft airlines will order, all I can do is hope for the A380's spacious and quite cabin. Whatever happens to the super jumbo in the future is not upto me, I will fly to Europe/States/Asia in whatever aircraft that is flying on the day I need to travel, I just hope it's the big bird.

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1557

Is B777 or A350 not big enough for you?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 390

I do like the B777 and im sure I will like the A350 also when I get the opportunity to fly in one, however I just prefer the A380. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2013

Total posts 387

More likely B777-8 given the commonality between the 787 and 777X

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Sep 2012

Total posts 232

This commonality argument for the B777 doesn't make much sense, seeing as the A350 shares cockpit commonality with both the A330 and A380. Would it be economical to retrain hundreds of airbus pilots to Boeing?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2013

Total posts 387

That's true but given the A330s will most likely be replaced by B787-9/10s. And A380 eventually either 777-9/10 or A350-2000. 

in my mind I just think Qantas will end up with an all Boeing wide body fleet. Now I'm not a Boeing fanboy or someone who says if it ain't Boeing I'm not going. 

15 Nov 2012

Total posts 14

Handsome looking aircraft!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Aug 2015

Total posts 121

That looks so good. Hopefully, we'll see them around Australia too!

gsx
gsx

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Aug 2015

Total posts 34

i am surprised no one has noticed there is no engines on the plane yet..

its not going anywhere in a hurry, but yes it looks nice.

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1557

I did. No wonder that it without engines - article clearly says “set to make its maiden flight by year's end”

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

21 Jan 2016

Total posts 193

I like the design of the A350. I think is better looking than the B787. 

It seems that Airbus is going to make a 'family' of A350 similar to the A318/319/320/321 'family' with A350-800, A350-900, A350-900 ULR and A350-1000 allowing airlines to mix and match aircraft type to suit an airline operations making it more economical for the airline. 

The days of big aircraft like the B747 and A380 are numbered for passenger services except for all freight, where Boeing is still receiving orders for B747-8F whilst orders for the A380 are in decline.

AJW
AJW

16 Nov 2011

Total posts 580

There are no A380 freighters, got canned early on.

As for orders of 747 and A380 about equal over the past few years. 4 for 747 and 5 for A380 in past 2 years or so.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

19 Feb 2014

Total posts 439

That is one looonnngggg plane

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2013

Total posts 387

And the B777-9 and is a further 2.9m longer

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1242

Is it as long as the A346?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 May 2014

Total posts 465

No, A346 is about 1.6m longer.  747-8 almost another 1m longer again !

Qantas

13 Jun 2015

Total posts 139

Got to love A350-1000 - cool, fuel-efficient and competes against B777-300ER


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