Airbus Updates No.1507

Cathay Pacific Airways becomes new operator of the A350 XWB

30 MAY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

Cathay Pacific Airways has become the sixth airline to operate the world’s latest and most efficient twin engine widebody airliner. The airline’s first aircraft featuring the carrier’s new livery has arrived at its home base in Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific has configured its A350-900 with a premium three class layout with a total of 280 seats, comprising 38 in Business Class, convertible to fully lie-flat beds, 28 in Premium Economy and 214 in the main cabin. After an initial period flying on regional routes, Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 will begin long haul operations later this year.

Altogether Cathay Pacific 48 A350 XWB on order, including 22 A350-900s and 26 of the larger A350-1000s.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. The spaciousness, quietness, beautiful interior and mood lighting in the cabin contribute to superior levels of comfort and well-being, setting new standards in terms of flight experience for all passengers.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 798 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 42 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

Airbus Updates No.1330

Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes shape

19 MAY 2015 PRESS RELEASE

Airbus has begun final assembly of the first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines at its facilities in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is the first of 70 A350 XWBs ordered by the airline and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016. The A350 XWB will form a major part of the future Singapore Airlines fleet and will be operated on the carrier’s medium and long-haul routes.

The aircraft is now in the initial fuselage section joining phase. Following this, it will move in before the end of the month to the next assembly station for wing junction, start of cabin installation and first power-on.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range aircraft family and the latest member of the manufacturer’s leading widebody family. The A350 XWB is the world’s most modern and efficient aircraft in its size category and is setting new standards in terms of flight experience for passengers, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for airlines. 

Airbus Updates No.1076

A350 XWB achieves 92 flight test hours since first flight

Flight envelope opened and key systems tests successfully performed

15 JULY 2013 PRESS RELEASE

The A350 XWB MSN1 has performed well during the first 92 flight test hours already achieved since its maiden flight on June 14th 2013. The A350 XWB flight test campaign will total around 2,500 flight hours with a fleet of five development aircraft.

During the first four weeks of the flight test campaign, ten Airbus experimental test pilots have flown MSN1 and have collectively put the aircraft through its paces to get to know its handling qualities and behaviour. This early phase of test flights has resulted in the clearance of the entire flight envelope and initial testing of all key systems. These include: engines, electrics, Ram Air Turbine (RAT), landing gear and braking, fuel and cabin pressurization as well as a preliminary assessment of the autopilot and auto-land functions. The A350 MSN1 will now undergo routine maintenance and upgrades of its flight test installation to ready it for the second phase of the flight test campaign which will start in August, while the design office will analyse the results of these initial flight tests.

Entry into commercial service of the first customer aircraft is scheduled for the second half of 2014. To date, Airbus has recorded 678 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 34 customers worldwide.

Notes to editors: 

• The first A350 XWB development aircraft (MSN1) is fitted with heavy test instrumentation and will be used for handling qualities evaluation, the natural icing campaign, systems and powerplant testing. 
• The second aircraft (MSN3) will also be equipped with heavy flight test instrumentation and will be used for performance measurement, high altitude, hot and cold weather testing as well as systems and powerplant tests. 
• The third and fifth aircraft (MSN2 and MSN5) will be equipped with a cabin and carry out the cabin and cabin systems tests, including the early long flights and route-proving. 
• The fourth aircraft to fly (MSN4) will have a light flight test installation and will be focused on external noise tests, lightning tests and pilot training for first customer and maintenance teams.