Since the Airbus A350 entered commercial service in early 2015, almost 650 aircraft have been delivered globally. It has become a flagship model for airlines like Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, and Air India. The A350 is the second best-selling Airbus widebody aircraft, following the A330.
Initially developed with three passenger variants—the -800, -900, and -1000—the smallest variant was canceled in favor of the A330neo due to similar operating economics at a lower cost. Thus, only the -900 and -1000 variants are operational today.
The two variants do not use identical engines but feature similar ones from Rolls-Royce. Initially paired with General Electric’s GEnx-1A-72 engine, the market demanded a new design. Airbus responded by developing the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) with Rolls-Royce providing new Trent XWB engines: the XWB-84 for the -900 and XWB-97 for the -1000.
“After 10 years of investment, including as part of the Ultrafan program,” Simon Burr from Rolls-Royce stated that they “have brought out a new super alloy,” which will enhance engine performance and longevity starting in 2025.
Differences between the -900 and -1000 extend beyond engines. The -1000 features an extended fuselage allowing for more seats and increased cargo capacity compared to its counterpart. It also boasts a modified wing design for additional lift and a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The range of these aircraft varies as well; while the -900 has an 8,100 nautical mile range, the -1000 extends nearly 8% further to 8,700 nautical miles.
