Quantcast

Speculation surrounds possible Airbus A360 but company shows no sign of developing model

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
Speculation surrounds possible Airbus A360 but company shows no sign of developing model
Policy
Webp oi
Guillaume Faury, CEO | Airbus

As speculation continues among aviation enthusiasts about the possibility of an Airbus A360, there is no official confirmation or evidence from Airbus that such a model exists or is under development. The designation has appeared in online discussions and fictional wikis, with some imagining it as a midsize widebody to rival Boeing's 787 or as a futuristic hydrogen-powered jet. However, as of 2025, Airbus has not announced any aircraft under the A360 name.

The absence of both the A360 and A370 in Airbus’s commercial aircraft lineup has fueled theories about whether these numbers are being reserved for future designs or branding flexibility. Unlike Boeing’s more sequential approach to naming jets, Airbus has used a flexible numbering system, sometimes skipping designations. For example, after the A350 came the double-decker A380, bypassing intermediate numbers.

There are several reasons why these numbers may have been skipped. When launching the A380, Airbus wanted to highlight its capacity leap over previous models—the aircraft could carry nearly twice as many passengers as the A340—and chose "A380" partly because the number eight holds significance in Chinese culture. This strategy was intended to appeal to China’s growing aviation market.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Airbus has historically left gaps in its naming sequence and later reused them for new projects; for instance, it adopted "A220" after acquiring Bombardier's C-Series program. As such, if needed in the future, unused names like A360 remain available.

Developing an entirely new aircraft would require significant investment—often $10–15 billion per program—and involves risks related to uncertain market demand and long certification times. Market trends currently favor smaller single-aisle jets over larger widebodies; airlines such as Delta Air Lines prioritize narrowbody models like the A321neo due to shifting passenger preferences toward point-to-point travel and higher flight frequencies.

Technological advancements and regulatory pressures also influence decisions on new models. With aviation aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, investments focus on sustainable technology like hybrid-electric systems and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). While some envision a potential A360 as hydrogen-powered or incorporating next-generation aerodynamics, current research suggests such technologies will not be ready until at least 2035.

For now, Airbus's main priorities include improving existing families—such as upgrades to the A350—and pursuing zero-emissions concepts through initiatives like its ZEROe project. This effort aims to deliver a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035 but focuses mainly on regional and narrowbody segments rather than large widebodies.

Ultimately, while enthusiasts continue to speculate about what an "A360" could be or when it might appear, there are no indications that Airbus plans to introduce this model soon. The missing designation remains more of an imagined concept than part of any confirmed roadmap.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025