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Airbus A350 XWB
A family concept with all of the extras
Conceived as a comprehensive medium-capacity aircraft Family with an extra-wide fuselage cross section, the A350 XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions - all with cruise speeds of Mach 0.85.
The A350-800 can fly 270 passengers up to 8,500 nm./15,750 km. in a spacious three-class configuration. The A350-900 will have a range of 8,400 nm./15,540 km., while the A350-1000 version can fly a distance of 8,300 nm./15,400 km., with seating capacities for 314 and 350 passengers, respectively. The operating reach of the A350-900R version will provide ultra long-range performance, and a freighter configuration designated the A350-900F will complement the passenger models.
Featuring a cross section of 232 inches/5.9 meters, the A350 XWB will benefit from the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort in this market segment. It also will provide the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in the category. The Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations and environmental concerns in its market segment.
The latest innovations in terms of advanced technologies will be incorporated in the A350 XWB, including all-new, easy to maintain, and much lighter Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) paneled fuselage skins. Over 60 per cent of the airframe will be made of new materials.
The A350 XWB was given its industrial launch in December 2006. This followed the A350 Family's commercial launch in December 2004, which subsequently achieved a strong market base, including: Spain's Air Europa with 10 commitments, Kuwaiti leasing company Alafco with 12, American leasing companies CIT, GECAS and ILFC with commitments for five, 10 and 16 aircraft respectively, India's Kingfisher Airlines with five, Qatar Airways with 60, Brazil's TAM with 10, America's US Airways with 20, Eurofly with three, TAP with 10, Finnair with nine, Bangkok Airways with six, and six for Yemen Airways.
