The Airbus A350 XWB showcased at Paris Air Show 2011

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Paris Air Show le Bourget 2011
International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition
Paris - France
20 - 26 June 2011
 
Airbus A350 XWB at Paris Air Show / Le Bourget 2011
 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 10:59 PM
 
The Airbus A350 XWB showcased at Paris Air Show 2011
 
 
The A350 XWB is an all new family of mid sized wide-body airliners to shape the efficiency of medium-to-long haul airline operations from 2013 onwards, overcoming the challenges of volatile fuel prices, matching rising passenger expectations and addressing increasing environmental concerns. The strong orders portfolio of 574 firm orders from 36 customers demonstrates the excellent market positioning of the A350 XWB Family. The programme is well into the manufacturing phase. Major parts are being completed, ahead of assembly and equipping of sections for transport to Toulouse.

One market-matching family
The A350 XWB Family consists of three passenger versions with true long-range capability of flying up to 8,500nm/15,580km. In a typical three-class configuration, the A350-800 will offer 270 seats while the A350-900 and the A350-1000 will offer 314 and 350 seats respectively. All members of the family can be configured for higher density layouts of up to 440 seats.

The baseline, the A350-900 design, was frozen in December 2008 and is progressing towards entry-into-service in 2013.

With one aircraft available in three different sizes, airlines can best match their A350 XWB fleets to route capacity demands, guaranteeing optimum revenue potential. Pilots can fly all three versions with the same certification, further maximizing airline profitability.
     

The A350 XWB is an all new family of mid sized wide-body airliners to shape the efficiency of medium-to-long haul airline operations from 2013 onwards, overcoming the challenges of volatile fuel prices, matching rising passenger expectations and addressing increasing environmental concerns. The strong orders portfolio of 574 firm orders from 36 customers demonstrates the excellent market positioning of the A350 XWB Family. The programme is well into the manufacturing phase. Major parts are being completed, ahead of assembly and equipping of sections for transport to Toulouse.
Airbus A350 XWB Model at Paris Air Show 2011
     
A comfortable, efficient cabin
The A350 XWB offers a very quiet and extremely comfortable cabin. At 220 inches/5.58 meters from armrest to armrest, the cabin provides a wide 18 inch seat in-line with the best comfort standards. For increased passenger comfort the A350 XWB is five inches/12.7cm wider than its nearest competitor, and with up to 35 more seats, the A350 XWB offers a potential revenue advantage of 10 percent or more.

Passengers will enjoy more headroom, wider panoramic windows, and larger overhead storage space. Crews will be able to relax when off-duty in extremely comfortable crew rest compartments located in the crown area, well outside the revenue generating cabin space.
 
25 percent lower operating costs
The A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies to provide a 25 percent step-change in fuel efficiency compared to its current long-range competitor.

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. The aircraft’s innovative all-new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance. The A350 XWB benefits from Airbus’ high level of expertise in incorporating composite material into its aircraft.

Robust state-of-the art systems also help lower maintenance costs which, combined with the aircraft exceptional fuel efficiency, reduces operating costs by 25 percent compared with equivalent, in-service long-range aircraft. The A350 XWB's commonality in engines, systems and spare parts throughout the family helps reduce operating costs even further.

Airbus recognises the need for the sustainable development of air travel. The environment will benefit from the efficiency inherent in the A350 XWB Family. Next generation Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and state-of-the-art aerodynamics help reduce emissions well below current and anticipated future regulatory levels. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per passenger will be up to 25 percent lower than with current generation aircraft in this category and exterior noise levels will be as much as 15 EPNdB (Effective Perceived Noise Decibel) below ICAO Chapter-4 requirements. Airbus forecasts a demand over the next 20 years for some 6,200 new twin-aisle passenger aircraft.