The stretch version of the A350 expected in 2017

This is Airbus’ new weapon to compete with Boeing’s 777: the A350-1000. After passing through the paint hall at the end of July, the aircraft will carry out its first test flight before the end of the year.

The main difference with the current Airbus A350, the -900, which has been in service since January 2015, is its load capacity. At 22ft longer, the -1000 can carry 41 more passengers. The catalogue price is therefore 13% higher. The range, however is nearly identical.

Another difference the A350-1000 has compared to its little brother is the main landing gear which is re-inforced with twelve wheels instead of eight. The engines are more powerful too. It is programmed to enter service in the second half of 2017. It’s unclear at this stage who the launch customer will be.

As for the -800, the latest addition to the A350 family, which seats 280 passengers, it is still on offer in the Airbus catalogue but could well never see the light of day because most of the clients who signed up for this version have converted their orders to the A350-900 or to the A330neo.