Tag Archives: a350 xwb

Airbus completes its round-the-world A350 test flight

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement about the series of worldwide test flights for its new A350-900:

The world’s newest widebody airliner, the Airbus A350-900, has successfully completed a series of Route Proving trials, receiving an enthusiastic welcome at each of the 14 cities it has visited over the past three weeks. At the technical Route Proving the aircraft must demonstrate its readiness for airline operations on a global scale. This last series of trials is required for Type Certification, which is expected in Q3 this year.

The A350 XWB completed its Route Proving after landing in Toulouse, France on August 13th (17:00 UTC) coming from Helsinki, Finland. The exercise took the flight test aircraft, msn 005, across the globe on an impressive 20-day trip flying over the North Pole, each ocean and stopping at 14 major international airports world-wide. During its World Tour, the aircraft flew approximately 81,700 nm /151,300 km in some 180 flight hours, with all flights performing on schedule. The aircraft was operated by Airbus flight crews as well as Qatar flight crews on the route from Doha to Perth, Moscow and Helsinki. The Airworthiness Authority pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency also participated and flew the aircraft on two legs.

A major highlight was the trip from Johannesburg Tambo International Airport, located at 5,558 feet (1,694m) above sea level, to Sydney, demonstrating the A350’s excellent performance at high altitude airports. The flights from Johannesburg to Sydney and Auckland to Santiago de Chile demonstrated also its capability to fly ultra-long-haul routes or Extended range Twin Operations (ETOPS).

“The aircraft has performed remarkably well confirming the high level of maturity that it has been demonstrating all the way during our development and certification tests. We are set for the Type Certification in the coming weeks, as planned”, said Fernando Alonso, Senior Vice President Flight & Integration Tests, and added: “I truly believe that the aircraft is fit to enter into service and perform to the expectations of our Customers.”

The technical Route Proving commenced on July 24th in Toulouse/France and comprised the following destinations: Frankfurt, Singapore and Hong-Kong. On the third trip, the aircraft visited Johannesburg, Sydney, followed by Auckland, Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo. The fourth and final journey included Perth followed by Doha, Moscow and Helsinki.

At each destination, the A350 XWB performed as expected and on schedule. Checks were made on standard maintenance as well as typical airport operations and compatibility. The automatic landing capability of the A350 XWB was also successfully demonstrated during a local flight performed at Johannesburg.

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus Widebody product line. Offering its customers a 25% reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB Family comprises three versions from 276 to 369 seats. The A350 has carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. At the end of June 2014, the A350 XWB had won 742 orders from 38 customers worldwide.

An update report on the testing program of the new Airbus A350

Airbus’ (Toulouse) flight test department is moving at full-speed with all five A350-900 developmental aircraft now flying – a fleet that has accumulated more than 2,100 total hours in over 500 flights. Among the key recent achievements of the program are crosswind tests with msn 001 in Keflavik, Iceland (above); msn 003’s hot-weather test campaign in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; the first flight of msn 005 and two Early Long Flights (ELFs) performed by msn 002. Remaining certification tests include route-proving and “maximum energy” rejected takeoff evaluations, which will help pave the way for the A350 XWB’s planned certification in the third quarter of 2014 and the subsequent delivery of the first customer aircraft to Qatar Airways before year-end.

Videos:

Emirates cancels its Airbus A350 order, upgrades the Boston route and introduces a Boeing 777-300 World Cup logo jet

Emirates (Dubai) in a stunning development has cancelled its order for 70 new Airbus A350s (50 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s) (above). Airbus issued this statement: “Airbus confirms that Emirates Airline has decided to cancel its order of 70 A350 XWB aircraft. The decision follows on-going discussions with the airline in light of their fleet requirement review, as demonstrated by their order of 50 additional A380 at the last Dubai Airshow and their continuous interest in the program. Airbus and Emirates Airline benefit from a long-standing relationship and the airline recently reiterated its confidence in Airbus products particularly by praising the A380 and the benefits the aircraft brings to their operations. The order of 50 A350-900 and 20 A350-1000 was originally placed by Emirates Airline in 2007 with first delivery slots scheduled from 2019. Airbus is very confident in its A350 XWB programme. Half a year before entry into service, the A350 XWB order book stands at a healthy 742 firm orders. The A350 flight test campaign is progressing well and is on track for Type Certification in the coming months. Interest in the game changing A350 has always been very high with customers. Airbus expects the A350 order book to continue growing in 2014.” In other news, Emirates from August 1, will switch from its Boeing 777-200 LR currently operating the route to Boston to a larger Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, adding passenger and cargo capacity. Emirates launched its Boston service – its eighth US gateway – on March 10, 2014. The Boeing 777-300 ER will offer 88 additional Economy Class seats, representing a 40% increase in seating. This is in addition to offering customers a choice of eight First Class Suites and 42 Business Class seats. In additional other news, Emirates has decorated a Boeing 777-300 ER to feature the distinguishable signature of Emirates’ Global Ambassador and three times World Cup winner, Pelé. The airline issued this statement and photo: Just hours before the first World Cup match kicks off in Brazil, Emirates, an Official FIFA Worldwide Partner, is pleased to unveil the first Boeing 777-300 ER to feature the distinguishable signature of Emirates’ Global Ambassador and three times World Cup winner, Pelé (above). The first Emirates Pelé-ane will be connecting football fans with the action this summer on the Dubai to São Paulo route. Identifiable from the ground or the air, the 350 seater aircraft now has a creative design, specific to the FIFA World Cup™, emblazoned on the fuselage along with the recognisable signature of the legendary Brazilian football great. Two further Boeing 777 Pelé-ane’s will be unveiled on the day of the opening match and one Airbus A380 will launch shortly afterwards. 115 Boeing 777 from the Emirates fleet, which will fly football fans to Brazil, will also carry a large 2014 FIFA World Cup™ logo. Those passengers lucky enough to be travelling to Brazil, or any of the other 142 destinations served by Emirates, can also experience different facets of the tournament in a number of ways: At the airport: The world Cup buzz begins at the airport, especially at the airline’s hub in Dubai, where check-in desks now prominently feature the hero image from the Emirates #AllTimeGreats commercial featuring Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo. In the award-winning lounges both in Dubai and the many other locations around the world, passengers can relax with a bite to eat in front of the live streamed games. Ice TV Live will be featured on 16 Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft: From June 12 to July 13, passengers on board one of these 16 Emirates aircraft can watch all 64 matches ‘as live’ on the Sport 24 channel. This capability means not even a flight can get in the way of a football fan’s passions. Or if watching the whole match is too much, one of the seven rolling news channels can keep everyone up to date with the goals. If the flight doesn’t have ice TV Live: Passengers can still get goal-by-goal text updates on the ice Airshow moving map channels. On ice Digital Widescreen, the scores are shown in the news headlines under a dedicated FIFA Update section. Fun for young fliers: To keep the children on board entertained, Emirates will be providing colourful snack boxes with cardboard cut-outs and stylish wrist bands in support of participating teams. The Emirates World Cup initiatives will be on flights for the duration of the tournament starting from 10 June. The airline expects to fly over 18,000 passengers on its daily flights to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo over the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ period. Emirates: Bottom Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato. Boeing 777-31H ER A6-ECV (msn 35594) arrives on June 10 in an overcast Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) with the special Pelé signature and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil markings.

Airbus A350 F-WWCF arrives in Florida for two weeks of testing

Airbus (Toulouse) has sen the pictured A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) to the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle of Florida for two weeks of extreme weather testing. Airbus issued this statement:

In order to go beyond certification requirements and testing to the extremes the first ever Airbus A350 XWB to visit the United States, msn (manufacturer’s serial number) 002 has arrived at McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force base in northwest Florida. Over the next couple of weeks the aircraft and its various systems and cabin installations will be subjected to the extreme hot and cold temperatures that the unique facility can sustain in a testing environment. These tests come on top of those already performed earlier this year in the Middle East and Northern Canada to ensure maturity and full in-service readiness from Day 1 for all A350 XWB’s operators.

There are currently four test aircraft flying in the A350 XWB program. Together they have accumulated around 1,600 flight test hours in more than 350 flights. The certification process for the program is progressing on schedule – certification is anticipated in the third quarter of 2014 with entry into service in the fourth quarter of this year.

Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) is painted in the eye-catching “Carbon Fiber” livery.

Airbus tests and unveils A350 cabin concepts

Airbus (Toulouse) has unveiled the A350 XWB’s development cabin interior installed on board flight-test aircraft msn 002 at the Airbus site in Hamburg. Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002), which made its first flight on February 26, 2014, is the first of two test aircraft fitted with a passenger interior and is part of the growing A350 XWB development fleet. Intensive cabin flight and ground tests have already been performed during a two-week stay of the aircraft in Hamburg in mid-March 2014. The cabins of all Airbus aircraft are developed by the engineering and research teams based there. The new interior demonstrates how the aircraft’s “eXtra-wide” fuselage will soon offer passengers even more personal space, flexibility and comfort in business and economy classes, and especially, a wide 18” seat in 9-abreast economy.

A350 XWB msn 002 will be tasked with conducting a series of “Early Long Flights” with its cabin accommodating real passengers. ‘Hot and cold’ cabin trials will also feature in its busy test programme, which also includes validation of the advanced fourth-generation in-flight-entertainment (IFE). F-WWCF (msn 002) will soon be joined by the second cabin-equipped A350 msn 005, which will be tasked with route-proving flights around the world to the major destinations it will serve.

Together with the unveiling of the first A350 XWB test cabin, Airbus also inaugurated its dedicated A350 XWB Customer Definition Centre (CDC) where airline customers and operators will follow an efficient cabin design and definition process allowing shorter lead times. The CDC, which features individually tailored zones, enables the customers to see, feel and test the real catalogue solutions presented in a showroom environment, and in close cooperation with the risk-sharing partners. The centre also incorporates the innovative electronic “A350 XWB Configurator” – a virtual environment and modelling tool for accelerated cabin specification and visualisation. In short, the CDC is a “one-stop-shop” for airlines to establish their own A350 XWB cabin definition efficiently in one place.

Notable passenger-pleasing features of the A350 XWB cabin which customers can evaluate for real in the CDC include the full cabin LED lighting with 16.7 million possible colors for customized ambiances and scenarios, or the various galley options. They will also be able to experience the wide array of fourth-generation IFE consoles and high-definition display options – for which the associated electronics boxes and connections are smartly integrated and combined with the aircraft’s unique flat floor architecture, thus freeing-up even more personal space, under the seat.

Visitors to the CDC’s full-scale mock-ups will also appreciate the aircraft’s near-vertical sidewalls, adding eXtra spaciousness to the cabin and the large overhead stowage bins to match growing hand-luggage volume requirements.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions covering a wide range of capacities from 276 to 369 seats. This family, whose 221-inch wide internal cabin cross-section is optimized for full long-range passenger comfort in all classes, brings a 25 percent step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category. At the end of March 2014, the A350 XWB had won 812 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Test aircraft Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) in the “Carbon Fiber” livery arrives back at Toulouse.

Airbus brings the A350 to Doha on the way to Singapore

Airbus (Toulouse) has brought one of its new Airbus A350 to Doha’s new Hamad International Airport in Doha on its way to the Singapore Airshow. Airbus issued this stated:

An A350 XWB flight test aircraft (msn 3) has made its premiere appearance at Doha’s new Hamad International Airport, on its way to the Singapore Airshow. The visit is part of the Entry-into-Service preparations between Airbus and Qatar Airways, the A350 XWB launch customer, who will take delivery of its first A350 XWB in the fourth quarter of this year.

During the visit, the aircraft was welcomed by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker as well as government officials, eager to see the aircraft performing in Qatar’s skies.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions. The new Family, whose fuselage cross-section is optimized for full long-range passenger comfort in all classes, will bring a 25 percent step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category. To date, the A350 XWB has won 812 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

Qatar Airways:

Airbus introduces an A350 hybrid livery for launch customer Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways’ (Doha) CEO, Akbar Al Baker, visited Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse to get first-hand information on the A350 program’s progress. The airline will be the first A350 XWB operator and is also its biggest customer with 80 aircraft on order. Airbus and Qatar Airways are working closely together to ensure a successful entry-into-service of this all-new aircraft from day one.

During his site-tour, Mr Al Baker unveiled Airbus’ newest flight test aircraft msn 4, branded with a special “launch customer” livery. The aircraft will soon join the A350 flight test fleet for external noise and lightning tests, avionics development & certification and training for first customer pilots & maintenance teams.

“I am pleased with what I have seen during my visit. It gives me every confidence that the program is well on track for our first delivery in 2014. At Qatar Airways, we are eager to open a new chapter of efficient and comfortable air travel and the A350 XWB will do this for us. The aircraft will give us that extra edge in economics and comfort to further boost our route expansion.” commented Akbar Al Baker.

Airbus sets new records for orders and deliveries in 2013

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this report for 2013:

Airbus exceeded commercial targets in 2013, achieving a new record of 626 aircraft deliveries (493 A320 Family aircraft, 108 A330, 25 A380) to 93 customers (15 new) and a new industry record of 1619 gross orders (377 A320ceo, 876 A320neo, 77 A330, 239 A350 XWB, 50 A380) beating the previous record in 2011 by 11 aircraft. The year was also Airbus’ most valuable gross order intake (List price $240.5 billion US). By year end, the backlog had climbed to an industry wide record of 5,559 aircraft, valued at $809 billion US at list prices, or eight years production.

Aircraft deliveries in 2013 were up for the 12^th year in a row, beating the initial target and surpassing the previous record set in 2012 (588) by an additional 38 aircraft.

At 2013 year end, Airbus commanded 51 per cent gross market share (aircraft above 100 seats). Decisions by customers to move towards larger aircraft in all segments (A321, A330-300, A350-1000 and A380) is having a positive result on revenues, complementing Airbus’ lead in both single aisle and widebody aircraft markets.

During the year the A320neo surpassed 2,600 orders while strong sales of the A320ceo continued with more than 1,000 sold since the NEO was launched. The A350 XWB had significant commercial breakthroughs especially with a first order from Japan, and the A380 coninued to dominate the Very Large Aircraft market with 50 new orders.

Signalling Airbus’ successful transformation to a more agile company, 2013 was also notable for the A350 XWB first flight. Test flights are progressing well with two aircraft having accomplished over 800 flight hours. Certification is targeted for Q3 and Entry Into Service for Q4 2014. The A330 new longer range and regional variants were launched, A330 production reached a new record high of rate 10 per month and single aisle remained stable at rate 42.

In 2013, Airbus Military delivered 31 aircraft including seven A330 MRTT and two A400M for the French Air Force, confirming the programme is well back on track.

Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new test aircraft, Airbus A350-941 F-WXWB (msn 001), approaches the runway for landing at Toulouse.

Airbus rolls out its third Airbus A350, this one in a “Carbon” signature livery

Airbus (Toulouse) yesterday (January 2) rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test aircraft (msn 002) from the paint shop in Toulouse.

The new type is expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of this year.

The pictured Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF wears a distinctive “Carbon” signature livery to reflect its primary construction from advanced materials. This aircraft is also the first of two A350 flight test aircraft to be equipped with a full passenger cabin interior.

F-WWCF will join the A350 XWB flight test fleet in the coming weeks and will be the first A350 to transport passengers when it undertakes the Early Long Flights (ELF) later in the year.

Composite materials in Airbus aircraft have seen a step-by-step introduction that started with the A310 which was first rolled-out in February 1982. Benefiting from over 30 years of composite material experience, 53% of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made-up of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) including Airbus’ first carbon-fiber fuselage.

JAL becomes a new Airbus customer, orders 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s

JAL-Japan Airlines (Tokyo), a long time Boeing customer, has turned to Airbus for its next batch of wide body airliners to replace its older generation of aircraft.

JAL-Japan Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 31 Airbus A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.* It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB.

In a typical three-class layout the A350-900 comfortably seats more than 300 passengers on routes as long as 8,100 nautical miles (nm). The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers on even longer missions up to 8,400 nm. All A350 XWB models are equipped with the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. In addition to innovative materials, the A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies and provides significant improvement in fuel efficiency compared with competing models.

To date, the A350 XWB msn 1 has completed around 300 flight test hours out of the campaign’s total 2,500 hours which are to be achieved by five flight test A350’s over the next 12 months. Entry into commercial service of the A350-900 is scheduled for the second half of 2014. With this latest commitment, Airbus has recorded more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

* Before the merger by Japan Airlines and Japan Air Systems (JAS), JAS ordered Airbus aircraft.

Image: Airbus. Is this payback to Boeing for the 787 delays and groundings?

JAL-Japan Airlines: