It’s lighter, faster, bigger, and has a cheaper upkeep. There’s a 2% improvement in specific fuel consumption (SFC), engine maintenance costs have been reduced by 5%, and the lower airframe maintenance has dipped by a substantial 10%. Improved performanceĪs well as the improved physical dimensions, the A350-900 XWB performs better up in the air. An extra 3⁰ in wing sweep increases the speed to Mach 0.85 and the thrust up to 95,000 from 75,000 lbf. The newer model’s cabin cross-section is a full 12 inches wider than the A330 with an additional two inches of width on each window, adding more natural light to the cabin. The Airbus A350 XWB (XWB standing for xtra wide body) – looks to address this. Previously, the A350 had come under scrutiny for a perceived lack of space. Coming approximately six years after the Boeing 787, the A350 enjoyed all the advantages of being second.> However, the new technology available that improved the Airbus definitely sweetened the deal. The added time and planning meant that the A350 was massively over budget one can only imagine investors’ raised eyebrows at the sight of a $15 billion bill for what was supposed to be a $5 billion aircraft. Being compared to the Boeing 787, the A350 was a great addition to the Airbus family and the A350-900 XWB has only brought more praise to Airbus. However, it may have been a blessing in disguise. Delays in the industry are nothing new but five years is quite a long time. The first finished aircraft arrived almost half a decade later than originally scheduled.

The Airbus A350’s journey was not an easy one.

A350 take off performance calculator