Neither A350-1100 nor A350-1000neo to compete against 777-9X; 20 more passengers in the same A350-1000.

Airbus wants to get an additional 20 passengers into the cabin of its A350-1000 by modifying the layout, heightening competition with Boeing’s new 777X set to debut in 2020.

The arrangement would help fit 389 passengers into the A350-1000 instead of 369, with Airbus aiming to offer the additional seats by the end of the decade, Didier Evrard, Head of Programs, said at Airbus’s annual press meeting.

“It’s something all the airline customers are eager to have,” said Evrard. “When you have a plane, there are various solutions for increasing efficiency. One is improving fuel burn, another is getting in more seats.”

Adding berths by more efficiently carving out space in the back of the cabin may let Airbus avoid stretching its largest A350 variant, which the company has said it doesn’t plan for the time being. Airbus is developing the A350-1000 for first delivery in the second half of 2017 with launch customer Qatar Airways.

Evrard, who was promoted to his current position last month after overseeing the A350 program, said room for the extra berths can be found by redesigning the way galleys and seats fit in together, and also the lavatory layout.

After Airbus began marketing the A350-1000, which claims 25% better fuel-efficiency than Boeing’s 777-300ER, the U.S. company sought to retain its edge by announcing the 777X.

The new Boeing jet will come in two variants: the 777-9X, seating more than 400 and available first, and the 777-8X, carrying 350, compared with 315 in 2-classes for the A350-900.

Fabrice Bregier, Airbus CEO told journalists the natural “sweet spot” for wide-body jets is about 350 seats, which Boeing occupied with the 777-300ER but which will be better addressed by the A350 variants after the U.S. company opted to make the 777X bigger.

All pictures Source: Bernie Leighton

Based on the article “Airbus to Squeeze More Passengers Into Cabin of Largest A350” published in Bloomberg.

Falcons permitted onboard Qatar Airways A350 XWB. Only in Economy Class.

The ancient sport of falconry is so popular in the Middle East that many commercial airlines in that region allow passengers to bring trained hunting raptors into the main cabin, where the birds travel on a handler’s heavy cuff or tied to an adjacent seat.

Source: Luke Duggleby

Qatar Airways publishes falcon policy on its website: “Harmless, domesticated dogs, cats, and birds can travel as excess baggage on the same flight. You may travel with one (1) falcon in cabin per passenger. There is a limit of six (6) birds allowed in cabin.”

Source: Luke Duggleby

“You are responsible for providing enough food and water for your animal’s journey. However, if your journey includes a transit in Doha, our ground services team will care for your animal by providing food and fresh water.”

Falcons are allowed only in Economy Class and must be hooded for the entire journey. Customers are limited to carrying only one (1) falcon aboard the flight. A chain or cord must be attached to one of the bird’s legs and tied securely to the handler to prevent the bird from flying.

Source: Luke Duggleby

For the first time, a European airline has taken steps to welcome falcons onboard its flights, with the introduction of a new platform to be used by the birds when they fly on planes.

With input from falcon specialists, the Executive Jet Solutions division of Hamburg-based Lufthansa Technik designed the “Falcon Master,” an easy-to-assemble and disassemble kit that connects to standard aircraft seat tracks and provides both a stable bird perch and stainless steel surfaces that can help “maximize sanitary protection of walls, seats and carpets against dirt produced by the birds,” according to a company statement.

Source: Lufthansa Technik

The price? Depending on the market response and final design, the Falcon Master could sell for about 50,000 EUR and be available in the second half of 2015.

Based on the article “Qatar’s falcons may soon be able to fly with Lufthansa” published in Doha News

A350 family will grow

The A350WXB family has at least 20 years in which to grow well beyond the current -900 and -1000 models, Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said on 22/Dec as the 1st of the A350 was handed over to launch customer Qatar Airways.

Source: Airbus

Mr. Brégier said “The A350XWB is at the very start of the growth of the family beyond the models we have and it will have a further 20 years in which to develop additional versions.”

While he didn’t go into any firm details he did refer to a possible A350 Regional model optimised for short higher demand routes after the style of the A330R.

Source: Airbus

He also referred to the potential growth of the 97,000 pounds thrust version of the Rolls-Royce XWB engine to power the A350-1000 -due in service less than 3 years from now- which would fit with speculation that there will be a A350-1100 version to follow it with additional seating to match the capacity of the Boeing 777-9 (X-series) due in service from late 2020.

Source: Langenfeld

Based on the article “Airbus chief: A350 family will grow, A380 future secure” published in Plane Talking.

Lighter tyres developed by Michelin for A350 XWB.

The A350-900 is equipped with Michelin Air X tyres with Radial NZG technology. Innovation developed by Michelin Aircraft Tire with several advantages; for instance, the reduced weight of the tyres.

Source: Airbus

“Michelin worked hand in hand with Airbus on this aircraft,” said Frank Moreau, Michelin Aircraft Tire Company’s President. “Michelin is committed to providing innovation for safety and business efficiency.”

Source: Manuel Belleli

Compared to an equivalent radial nylon tire, the new Michelin Radial NZG Technology tire is lighter, delivers up to 30% more landings, improves Foreign Objects Damage resistance leading to a reduction in unscheduled maintenance and increases the tire load carrying capacity.

Source: Michelin

In effect, 8 Michelin Radial NZG Technology tyres can carry the same load as 9 standard radial

tyres.

Based on the press release “MICHELIN® RADIAL NZG TEHCNOLOGY FOR THE FIRST DELIVERY OF THE AIRBUS A350-900”

Why not the traditional water cannon salute in the first A350 commercial flight in Frankfurt?

The water cannon salute is a tradition –really it´s an adaptation of a naval tradition where ships are saluted by fire boats on special occasions- used as a tribute to first flights, last flights, flight crew retirements or for other notable events.

The A350 has been treated to a water cannon salute when it arrived to different airports all around the world during the Route Proving Campaign.

Source: Airservices

Only some days before the first commercial flight held last 15/January between Doha and Frankfurt, Qatar Airways' new Airbus A350 XWB was given a water cannon salute as it landed at Heathrow airport for the first time last Saturday.

Source: Felix Gottwald

But surprisingly Qatar Airways requested not to have a water cannon salute on 15/January.

This was not the first time the A350 was in Frankfurt and the airline decided not to have fire trucks spraying water cannon salute to the A350 XWB registered A7-ALA (MSN 006).

Source: Felix Gottwald

The aircraft was quite early, but slowed down well before getting close to Frankfurt on its way from Doha. Contrary to most airlines, the pilots opted for runway 25R in Frankfurt, which surely disappointed aviation enthusiasts and spooters that were waiting at the southern runway.

Source: Felix Gottwald

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker announced that Frankfurt will receive 2 daily flights on the A350 from 1/March in order to offer the best product consistently on this important route.

Source: Felix Gottwald

He clearly wanted the A350 to be a statement against local legacy carriers… Lufthansa will receive its first aircraft in a couple of years only.

Based on the article “First scheduled Airbus A350 flight world-wide arrives in Frankfurt! “ published in felixgottwald.net

A350 XWB program not profitable for next 4 years.

Airbus expects its A350 program to be profitable from 2019 before becoming a prime source of profits, said Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier a day after its first delivery of the aircraft to Qatar Airways.

 Source: Airbus

"We think it will become profitable towards the end of the decade, so towards 2019," Bregier said on RTL radio. "From then, it will be one of the biggest contributors to Airbus' profitability."

Source: Airbus

The A350 was developed at a cost of 11 billion euros ($13.45 billion) and is designed to compete with the twin-engined Boeing 787 and 777 models.

“Airbus CEO says A350 program to be profitable by 2019” published in Reuters.

Milestone: A350 first commercial flight. Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways has commenced the first commercial operation with the A350 XWB departing from Doha to Frankfurt. 

The A350 MSN6 (A7-ALA) is operating as flight QR67 and left the Qatari capital at around 08:00, arriving Frankfurt at 12:30. 

Airbus CEO Mr. Bregier was on board this first A350 commercial flight.

Its departure for the return service – flight QR68 – has been done on time (15:25h) arriving at Doha as planned.

Speaking at the delivery ceremony in Toulouse, Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker revealed that the Oneworld carrier expects to take delivery of 8 more  aircraft during 2015 and will gradually deploy the twinjet across the network, to other European destinations as well as to points in "the Far East, the Indian subcontinent and ultra-long-haul flights to the eastern seaboard of the USA".

All pictures Source Hetfield&Hammett

Based on the article "Qatar A350 inaugural arrives in Frankfurt" published in FlightGlobal.