7High Technology: Airbus A350-900

Airbus A350-900

Airbus A350 XWB (eXtra Wide Body) is a family of wide-bodied jet aircraft currently being developed by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Airbus A350 will be the first with the second structure of the air wing are made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The aircraft will carry 270-350 passengers in three-class seating, depending on variant.

A350 was first announced in 2004 to rival the Boeing 787. This aircraft is a new design and only have 10% commonality (parts commonality) with Airbus earlier.

Although the concept of the A350 won a few orders, most customers are criticized because the order is significantly lower than the 787 who had set a record in terms of speed of order. Orders that this little force Airbus to abandon the old design A350 and respond with larger aircraft to compete with the 777 and 787. The new design is called the A350 XWB ("Extra Wide Body"), because the fuselage will be wider than the A330 and 787 which allows the seat per passenger that is slightly wider.

The other major change from the previous A350 design is XWB using composite materials are much more around more than half of overall structural aircraft. Airbus hopes to complete the design of this aircraft by the end of 2008 in preparation for the manufacture of aircraft models test-flown first.

The new design of the A350 XWB has proved far more popular than the initial A350 with airlines and has obtained more than 450 orders in October 2008. The orders came from Qatar Airways, he ordered 80 A350s of all versions. Her project is estimated to cost € 12 billion (US $ 15 trillion or £ 10 billion). The aircraft expected to enter service in 2014. The prototype first flew on June 14, 2013 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, France. The aircraft is expected to be a competitor B787.

Here's a video from Youtube Qatar Airways on the Airbus A350 XWB.