Airbus A350
The Airbus A350 is a long-range twin-engine wide-body family with a carbon-fibre fuselage and wing. Airbus developed it for high-capacity intercontinental routes and as a competitor to the Boeing 787 and 777.[1]
Specifications
The principal family-level specifications are shown in the information panel. Values vary by variant, cabin, engine and operating rules; the linked manufacturer material is the controlling reference.
Development history
Airbus substantially redesigned its initial A350 proposal after airline feedback, launching the wider A350 XWB in 2006. The A350-900 first flew in 2013 and Qatar Airways introduced it in 2015; the larger -1000 entered service in 2018.[1]
Variants
Production passenger models are the A350-900 and stretched A350-1000. The -900ULR supports exceptionally long routes, while the A350F is a purpose-built freighter under development.
Current and former operators
Current operators include Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Delta, Air France, British Airways and Japan Airlines. Former operation is limited, mostly to short leases or fleet transfers; LATAM disposed of its original fleet.
Engines
All A350 variants use Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The -900 generally uses the XWB-84 series and the larger -1000 uses the higher-thrust XWB-97.
Orders and deliveries
The A350 remains in production. Airbus reports more than 1,500 family orders and more than 700 deliveries; the live workbook is authoritative as totals change.[2]
Accidents and incidents
The first hull loss occurred in the 2024 runway collision at Tokyo Haneda involving Japan Airlines Flight 516 and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft. Everyone aboard the A350 evacuated; the JTSB's investigation material should be consulted for established findings.[3]
Compare with
Direct primary sources
A350 family — Airbus
Airbus orders and deliveries — Airbus
Haneda runway collision interim investigation report — Japan Transport Safety Board