Introduction to Airbus A350 XWB
The Airbus A350 XWB, a flagship aircraft for the European manufacturer, is offered in three variants: the A350-900, the larger A350-1000, and the A350F, which lies in between. With nearly 1,500 orders, its extra width allows it to accommodate more passengers than the Boeing 787, which has a narrower fuselage but a similar passenger capacity per row in economy class.
Boeing 777X: Outclassing the A350 XWB
While the A350 is known for its width, it is not the widest commercial airliner in operation today. That title is claimed by the Boeing 777X series, including the 777-8, 777-8F, and 777-9. Boeing designed these to fit ten passengers per row in economy, one more than the A350 XWB’s nine.
Significance of the Xtra-Wide Body Design
Originally, Airbus responded to the Boeing 787’s innovative features by updating the A330, but criticism led to the development of a new design, the A350 XWB. The A350 was created to directly compete with the 777 rather than the 787, establishing a unique niche due to its larger size compared to the Dreamliner.
Boeing’s Strategic Update with the 777X
Boeing responded to the A350’s dominance over the original 777 by announcing the 777X in 2013. The updated model features a new composite wing, GE9X engines, and increased fuselage lengths for both variants, positioning it competitively against the A350.
Comparison of Economy Class Seating
| Economy Layout | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Seven-abreast (2-3-2) | Boeing 767 |
| Eight-abreast (2-4-2) | Airbus A300, Airbus A310, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A380 (upper deck), Boeing 767 (uncommon), Boeing 787 (uncommon) |
| Nine-abreast (3-3-3) | Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Lockheed L-1011, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, McDonnell Douglas MD-11, Airbus A330 (uncommon), Boeing 777 (uncommon) |
| Ten-abreast (3-4-3) | Airbus A380 (lower deck), Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Airbus A350 (uncommon) |
Challenges for Airbus from the 777X
The A350-900 is successful against competitors, with over 1,000 orders. The A350-900 comfortably competes with the 787 instead, although the 777-8 model poses minimal threats with only 43 orders. However, the challenge arises with the 777-9, which is aimed at the same market as the A350-1000.
Sales Comparison
| Prior Generation Airliners | Number Of Sales | Current Generation Airliners | Number Of Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330-300 | 776 | Boeing 787-9 | 1,376 |
| Airbus A340-300 | 218 | Airbus A330-900 | 452 |
| Boeing 777-200 | 88 | Airbus A350-900 | 1,009 |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 422 | Boeing 787-10 | 396 |
| Boeing 777-200LR | 61 | Boeing 777-8 | 43 |
| Airbus A340-500 | 34 | Airbus A350-1000 | 361 |
| Airbus A340-600 | 97 | Boeing 777-9 | 473 |
| Boeing 777-300 | 60 | Boeing 777-300ER | 838 |
Impact of 777X’s Wider Cabin
The 777X’s expanded cabin space makes it more appealing for high-capacity needs, featuring more space-efficient layouts compared to the A350-1000. Few airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, prefer the ten-abreast 777 layouts due to additional seating capacity.
Boeing 777-9 Customer Overview
| 777-9 Customers | Do they fly the A350? |
|---|---|
| Air India | A350-900, A350-1000 (on order) |
| All Nippon Airways | No |
| British Airways | A350-1000 |
| Cathay Pacific | A350-900, A350-1000 |
| China Airlines | A350-900, A350-1000 (on order) |
| Emirates | A350-900 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | A350-900, A350-1000 |
| Etihad Airways | A350-1000 |
| Korean Air | A350-900, A350-1000 (on order) |
| Lufthansa | A350-900, A350-1000 (on order) |
| Qatar Airways | A350-900, A350-1000 |
| Singapore Airlines | A350-900 |
Future Prospects for Airbus
Airbus’s recent introduction of an updated A350 with thinner sidewalls potentially allows for ten-abreast seating. This layout may reduce per-seat costs, but it remains to be seen if it will become a mainstream choice. Continuous upgrades, like the New Production Standard (NPS) program, could enhance the A350-1000’s market position without direct competition with the 777X in terms of size.
