Who flew the A350 900. Business class A350 Qatar Airways review

10.04.2018, 10:17

The Airbus A350-900 is a long-haul wide-body passenger aircraft developed by the European company Airbus to replace the A330 and A340 airliners.

Airbus A350-900 entered service in 2014. Commercial operation began in January 2015. The first customer to receive the A350-900 was the Qatar airline. As of October 2016, Airbus has received orders for the delivery of 600 A350-900 aircraft. Today, this model is actively used by airlines: Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines.

Arrangement and numbering of seats in the cabin, scheme of seats in the Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Better and less comfortable seats on the plane

Explanation of the designation of the Airbus A cabin diagram350-900

Cabin layout, better and less comfortable seats on an Airbus A350-900 of Singapore Airlines»

The Airbus A350-900 Singapore Airlines provides three levels of comfort. The aircraft is designed for 253 passengers. Each of them has significant differences in the level of service and provided comfort.

Business Class

The plane has two business class cabins. They occupy almost half of the entire side. The convenient location of the 1-2-1 seats provides a long distance, as well as direct access to the aisle from anywhere. Luxurious seats with luxurious upholstery. The set includes a linen blanket and pillow. The back of the front seat has a built-in 15.4-inch LCD monitor with noise-canceling headphones, lockers, USB sockets and a compact mirror. In addition to a large selection of entertainment, movies, music (740 options), television programs and games, there is an opportunity to use the Internet, but it is paid.

You can pre-order meals for the main course from the chef no later than 24 hours before departure. You can also dine at the restaurant organized on board. Here visitors will be served at tables.

As for choosing the best seat in the Airbus A350-900, I would like to note:

• places 11, 17, 18 rows: the disadvantage of these places is the proximity to technical premises. It follows that around-the-clock lighting and noise can be inconvenient.
• seats 19 row: there are seats for passengers with babies. For this reason, unexpected sounds can be disturbing if you sit next door.

The rest of the places in this class have no drawbacks and can be considered the best.

Premium economy class

Seats of increased comfort and convenience, but at a lower cost than in business class. The premium economy is equipped with armchairs (49.5 cm wide) with a layout of 2-4-2 seats in a row. Here you can sit comfortably, the distance between the chairs is almost one meter. The chair has a built-in leg support. The place is equipped with personal lighting in the form of a reading lamp and 2 USB ports. Power grids are available for recharging or electronic devices at any time. There is a specially designated place for storing personal belongings. Each seat is equipped with a multimedia system.

In the premium economy class, the best will be seats 31 rows... Despite the fact that everything is in order with the space here anywhere, in this row it exists additionally. This will allow you to fully extend your legs and feel more relaxed.

Economy class

Economy class of Singapore Airlines is also quite comfortable. Each chair is equipped with a screen with a wide range of entertainment programs.

• Economy class seats of the 47th row differ in free space and the absence of neighbors in front, which can recline the back. But the close location of bathrooms can create inconveniences in the form of noise, movement of people or an unpleasant smell.
• According to travelers' reviews, seat 59G is deprived of luggage space, so the bag can be placed in any free space, therefore, it will not be possible to get to it quickly.
• Best in economy class, there will be seats A, K 48 rows. They are located near the windows, which will allow you to enjoy the picture outside the window, in the daytime. At the same time, due to the lack of front seats, you will get free legroom and can easily get up and go without disturbing the neighbors, in contrast places A, K other rows.
• The worst places will be A, B, C and H, J, K 61 rows, as well as seats D, E, G 62 rows. Their location at the very end does not allow reclining the seat back, which makes it impossible to change the position. The technical rooms directly behind them will be a source of noise.

The best seats on the Finnair Airbus A350-900 in a three-class configuration: 22 CJ, 42 AL, the worst are 55 ABC, JKL, 56 DEH.

The business class seats are comfortable, the seats are wide, the distance between the seats is enough to stretch your legs. I would like to mark places ADHL 1,8 and 10 rows- during night flights, because of the nearby kitchen, light comes in, which can cause some inconvenience.

In this configuration, the most comfortable seats - 42AL, ​​22 seats ABC, DEH, JKL; 41 AC, DEH, JL; ADHL 1 and 8 rows- are also comfortable enough for passengers who are not embarrassed by the nearby restrooms and galley.

Seats 55 ABC, JKL, 56 DEH can be called extremely inconvenient because of the fixed backs of the chairs and the proximity of toilets and the kitchen.

Airbus A350-900 of Finnair. Bbusiness class
Airbus A350-900 of Finnair. Economy-Class

General information on the Finnair aircraft cabin

Entertainment system

Every seat on Finnair's A350-900 is equipped with an entertainment system with a wide selection of audio, film, TV, games and other programming. Headsets are provided free of charge on all long-haul flights except charter flights. On the charter flights additional charges apply to access the entertainment system. All seats on board this aircraft have access to a USB port, Wi-Fi.

Children

• On Finnair aircraft, bassinets are available for children under 2 years of age and must be reserved in advance. Basket length - 70 cm, permissible weight child - up to 11 kg.
• On board the aircraft there is a changing table in one of the toilets, which should be checked with the flight attendants upon boarding.
• The infant with a reserved seat receives regular meals. Special children food only available in business class, standard in economy class.

Flight performance

• Maximum speed: 945 km / h
• Cruising speed: 903 km / h
• Flight range: 15000 km
• Liner capacity: economy class - 375 passengers, economy / business - 312 passengers, economy / business / first class - 270 passengers

Airbus A350-900 is the basic version. It can carry up to 314 passengers in three comfort classes. The maximum flight range is 15,000 km. According to Airbus, the A350-900 is 30% more economical per seat and has a 25% lower operating cost compared to the Boeing 777-200ER.

Wing tips are not traditional for Airbus: they are curved up at the last 4.4 meters in a saber shape. The sweep of the wing is 31.9 degrees, which will help increase the cruising speed to 903 km / h, and maximum speed- up to 945 km / h.

The new articulated flap mechanism (similar to the A380) allows the spoiler to bridge the gap between the trailing edge and the flap.

The Airbus A350-900 is equipped with two Trent XWB turbojet engines with a thrust each of 374.5 kN from Rolls & Royce.

The air inside the Airbus A350 is completely changed every 2-3 minutes! There are 6-8 temperature zones in the cabin, this allows you to maintain a uniform temperature everywhere. Typically, in planes, the front rows are warmer than the last ones, as the nose is slightly raised during flight.

Airbus A350 XWB Is a family of long-haul twin-engine wide-body jet aircraft developed by the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

The A350 is the first Airbus aircraft to feature both fuselage and wing structures made mostly of reinforced carbon fiber. The A350 modifications can carry from 280 to 366 passengers in a standard three-class configuration. The A350 is positioned as the successor to the outdated A340 and competes with the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Initially, the idea of ​​creating the A350 emerged in 2004. The new aircraft was supposed to combine the fuselage from the A330 model with new aerodynamic characteristics and engines. But in 2006, in response to criticism from several large potential customers, Airbus designers redesigned the aircraft, simultaneously renaming it A350 XWB (eng. Extra wide body- ultra-wide fuselage). The development costs of the aircraft are estimated at 11 billion euros.

The A350 prototype flew for the first time on June 14, 2013 from Toulouse (France). Airbus A350 has received the type certificate of the European Agency for aviation security in September 2014, and two months later passed certification with the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Commercial operation of the Airbus A350 began on January 15, 2015 on the flight of the airline, which acted as a launch customer for this type of aircraft.

History of creation

Early projects

The idea for the Airbus A350 most likely came about as a response to Boeing's announcement about the development of a new model, which should pose a serious threat to the Airbus A330.

Although at first Airbus representatives were very skeptical about the competitor's statement, later the airlines were offered an alternative in the form of the A330-200 Lite aircraft, which had aerodynamics and engines identical to the Boeing 787. Airbus planned to present this version at the 2004 Farnborough Air Show, but the premiere was did not take place.

On September 16, 2004, at a private meeting with potential customers, Noël Forgeard, then President and CEO of Airbus, confirmed that a new project was under consideration. At the same time, Forjard did not mention either the name of the project, or any details about whether it would be a completely new development or a modification of an existing aircraft. Airline officials were clearly disappointed, with Airbus committing € 4 billion to a new airliner project.

The initial version of the A350 outwardly resembled the A330, since it had a common cross-sectional shape of the fuselage and its layout with it.

The new wing type, engines and horizontal stabilizers, combined with new composite materials and fuselage manufacturing methods, would transform the A350 into an almost entirely new aircraft.

On December 10, 2004, the Boards of Directors of the European Aerospace and Defense Company (EADS) and the British defense company BAE Systems, which at that time were shareholders of Airbus, issued a "permit" and approved official name A350.

June 13, 2005 at the Paris Air Show Qatar airline Airways announced that it has placed an order for 60 Airbus A350s. In September 2006, the carrier signed an agreement with General Electric for the production of GEnx-1A-72 engines for the ordered aircraft. Meanwhile, another major airline, Emirates, has canceled ordering an initial version of the A350.

Design

The launch of the project was officially announced on October 6, 2005. Its development costs were estimated at 3.5 billion euros. The designers planned that the A350 would be a twin-engine wide-body aircraft with a capacity of 250 to 300 passengers with an appearance borrowed from the Airbus A330. According to this plan, only the engines and wing structure were to be changed for the A350, and the fuselage was to consist mainly of an aluminum-lithium alloy, and not of carbon fiber as on the Boeing 787. It was planned to launch two versions: A350-800 with a flight range of 16,300 km, with a standard capacity of 253 passengers in a three-class configuration and A350-900 with a flight range of 13,900 km and a capacity of 300 passengers. Thus, this type of aircraft was to become a direct competitor to and.

The project was publicly criticized by the largest Airbus clients - leasing companies International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

ILFC President Steven F. Udvar-Házy urged Airbus management to start the project from scratch, otherwise the company risks losing its market position. GECAS President Henry Hubschman supported his colleague.

In April 2006, Singapore Airlines top manager Chew Choon Seng commented on the Airbus project that by changing the wing, tail section and cockpit, the aircraft designer could well revise everything else, including the fuselage. Airbus was quick to respond to criticism, saying that it has already listened to customers and is ready to improve the A350. And then-CEO Gustav Humbert said Airbus's strategy is based on a long-term understanding of the market and the ability to deliver on its promises. Nevertheless, many major airlines have made their choice in favor of the Boeing 787, which undoubtedly became an incentive for the redesign of the A350 project.

Redesign and launch

On July 14, 2006, the redesigned Airbus A350 was unveiled during the Farnborough Air Show. The presumptive names of Airbus A370 and A280, previously mentioned in the press, did not get the move. The aircraft was officially named Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra-Wide-Body).

More recently, Singapore Airlines, which criticized the new Airbus project, placed an order for 20 A350 aircraft, additionally issuing an option for another 20 airliners.

The new A350 design made it possible to significantly expand the fuselage, which made it possible to offer airlines various options for the layout of the cabin: from 8 passenger seats in one row (with a premium economy layout) to 10 with a high-density configuration. Thus, the maximum capacity of the aircraft was 440-475 people, depending on the version of the liner.

The range of all A350 passenger models is at least 15,000 km, and thanks to the composite fuselage, higher pressure and humidity are maintained in the cabin. In addition, the A350 has lower operating costs.

On December 1, 2006, the Board of Directors of Airbus approved the launch of production of the A350-800, -900 and -1000 models. This decision was delayed for a long time due to the delay in the supply of the A380, as well as due to lengthy discussions over funding. The first delivery of the A350-900 was scheduled for mid-2013, the A350-800 in mid-2014, and the A350-1000 in mid-2015.

At a press conference in December 2006, new technical data of the A350 XWB were disclosed, Airbus top manager John Leahy also said that the already concluded contracts for the supply of the A350 had to be revised due to the increase in the cost of the redesigned version of the aircraft compared to with the original version. The first firm order for two A350 XWBs was placed by the Pegasus Aviation Finance Company on January 4, 2007.

As a result of the redesign of the aircraft, its delivery schedule was shifted by two years, and development costs increased from 5.3 billion to about 10 billion dollars. Reuters estimated the total cost of developing the A350 XWB was $ 15 billion. The date of the first delivery, slated for mid-2013, has been changed as the timing of final assembly and first flight has shifted due to lengthy development. As a result, the flight test schedule was reduced from 15 to 12 months.

However, according to A350 XWB Program Manager Didier Evrard, delays affected only the A350-900, the other two were on schedule.

Design phase

Initially, Airbus officials openly stated that the use of composite materials in the Boeing 787's fuselage structure was premature and that the bulk of the A350 XWB's fuselage would consist of large carbon fiber panels. However, faced with criticism about the cost of maintenance, Airbus had to rethink its position. In September 2007, company representatives confirmed the use of composite materials in the design of the new aircraft's fuselage frames. At the same time, special aluminum lines were included in the equipment of the frames to ensure the continuity of the fuselage electrical circuit (to dissipate lightning strikes). To develop the wiring, Airbus designers used a holistic fuselage layout, which differs from the approach used in the A380, where the design of all wiring was carried out only on computers.

In 2006, it was confirmed that a new complete air bleed system would be developed for the A350, in contrast to the Boeing 787, which lacks one. Rolls-Royce and Airbus have signed an agreement to supply the new Trent XWB turbofan jet engine.

Largest engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) has said it will not offer GP7000 engines for the new Airbus aircraft in addition, the previous GEnx engine contracts for the original A350 are not related to the XWB.

In April 2007, Louis Gallois, then Director of Airbus, negotiated with GE management to develop an improved version of the GEnx engine for the A350 XWB. However, the negotiations did not bring any results, already in June 2007, Airbus top manager John Leahy said that the A350 XWB would not be equipped with GEnx engines, since their efficiency was not satisfactory to Airbus. Eventually major airlines previously favored GE engines such as Emirates, US Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and leasing company ILFC have opted for the Trent 1000 and Trent XWB engines from Rolls-Royce.

In May 2009, GE officials said they would offer an existing optimized GEnx engine used in the Boeing 787 if an agreement was reached with Airbus. GE is clearly reluctant.

In January 2008, the French Thales Group won a € 2 billion contract for the supply of avionics and navigation equipment for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, worth 2 billion euros, ahead of competitors Honeywell and Rockwell Collins.

Nevertheless, the Americans Rockwell Collins won a tender for the supply of a horizontal stabilizer drive. The primary flight control system was also developed by the American company Moog Inc. In addition, the flight control system includes several new safety features. Since 2006, BMW has been responsible for the ergonomics and entertainment in the cabin. All in-flight entertainment and communication systems were supplied by Panasonic.

Production

In 2008, Airbus planned to implement new technologies and procedures to cut the aircraft assembly time in half. The A350XWB production program included extensive international cooperation and significant investment in new infrastructure: western Europe and the United States, ten new Airbus plants were built, three of which were subsequently expanded.

New buildings include a composite wing assembly plant located in Broughton, UK, which was built at a cost of $ 760 million.

The first part for the new aircraft was produced in December 2009. The production of the first section of the cylindrical part of the fuselage was launched at the end of 2010 at the plant in the Spanish city of Illescas. Construction of the first center wing box for the A350-900 was to begin in August 2010.

In early 2011, a new Airbus plant was opened in China for the production of rudders located on the “tail” of the aircraft, also made of composite materials. On December 29, 2011, the nose of the first A350 was delivered to the assembly plant. Final assembly of the test model for static testing began on April 5, 2012. The first prototype was assembled in December 2012.
The production rate at the beginning of 2015 was 3 aircraft per month, and by 2018 it should gradually increase to 10 aircraft per month. In 2015, the delivery of 17 aircraft was planned.

First flight and tests

The first test of the Trent engine took place on June 14, 2010. At the beginning of 2011, a flight test program for the Trent XWB engine (on an A380 aircraft) was launched, long before its certification at the end of 2011. Trent XWB engines were first launched on the A350 on June 2, 2013. The flight test program, which lasted 12 months, involved 5 aircraft.

The first flight of the A350 took place on June 14, 2013 from Toulouse-Blagnac airport. Airbus's chief test pilot spoke about his impressions in an interview with the Financial Times: "Everything that we experienced did not cause any complaints at all."

The A350XWB climatic tests were carried out for two and a half weeks at the unique McKinley Climate Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida (USA) in May 2014. During the tests, the test model A350 was subjected to various climatic influences, including temperature changes from +45 to -40 ° С.

In the end, the Airbus A350 received the type certificate of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 30, 2014. And on October 15, 2014, in accordance with the ETOPS flight rules, for the A350-900 modification, a permit was issued for an allowable flight time over non-referenced terrain of 370 minutes, which allows this aircraft to fly more than 6 hours on 1 engine. Thus, the A350 became the first aircraft to receive an ETOPS approval for flights lasting more than 180 minutes even before the start of operation.

In October 2014, Airbus also received official permission to allow pilots who had previously flown the A330 to fly the A350XWB without retraining.

On November 12, 2014, the Airbus A350 received a certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Implementation and early exploitation

In June 2011, the commissioning schedule for the A350 modifications was as follows:

• A350-900- first half of 2014
• A350-800- mid-2016
• A350-1000- 2017

In July 2012, Airbus postponed the introduction of the A350-900 by three months. As a result, the launch customer Qatar Airways received the first aircraft on December 22, 2014. The first commercial flight on the A350 took place on 15 January 2015 between Doha and Frankfurt. A year later, the total duration of A350 flights was 16,000 flight hours. The average duration of use of the A350 by the first operator was 11.4 hours per day, and the average duration of one flight was 5.2 hours, which is generally lower than the capabilities of this aircraft.

The airline uses the A350 most actively: 15 hours a day, 18 hours - and more than 20 hours -.

At the initial stage of operation, difficulties arose in three areas:

1) the MRO network required software upgrades;
2) Airbus issued an onboard equipment service bulletin and dismantled inline devices (coffee makers and toasters) due to leaks;
3) In addition, Airbus had to fix the problem with false warnings of overheating in the air bleed system.

By the end of May 2016, the used fleet of A350 aircraft had flown 55,200 hours (more than 9,400 cycles), while the operational reliability in terms of three months was 97.8%. The longest flights were with Qatar Airways: the flight duration was 13.8 hours, the distance was 11,300 km.

The average flight duration was 6.8 hours. The layout of the cabin varied from 253 seats to 348 seats. Accordingly, in the business class there were from 30 to 46 seats, and in the economy class - from 211 to 318, including the premium economy.

The first A350-1000 was assembled in 2016, the first flight was performed on November 24, 2016, and operation began in mid-2017.

Today, all the existing shortcomings of the Airbus A350 are related, rather, to aesthetics. For example, the American airline Zodiac Aerospace is experiencing difficulties in the production of cabin seats at factories in the towns of Gainesville, Texas and Santa Maria, California, and Cathay Pacific has improved or replaced the seats in the earlier versions of the A350 cabin.

In 2017, the number of pre-delivery flight tests dropped to 4 compared to 12 in 2014. Delays in deliveries have been reduced from 68 to 25 days. The aircraft's reliability reached 97.2% in 2015, 98.3% in 2016, and in June 2017 it reached 98.8%, ahead of the forecast, in general, by a year.

Within 30 months, 80 A350 aircraft were put into operation, of the 12 operators, the largest are Qatar Airways (17 aircraft), Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines (13 aircraft each).

The average flight time for this aircraft model during this time was 7.2 hours, with 53% of aircraft flying at distances less than 5,500 km, 16% at distances exceeding 5,500 km, and the remaining 31% at distances between these two indicators. LATAM Airlines has an average flight time of 10.7 hours, while Asiana Airlines has the shortest 3.8 hours. At the airline Singapore Airlines aircraft Airbus A350s serve the most long flight(13 600 km) and the shortest (296 km).

In 2016, a total of 49 aircraft were delivered, and the delivery rate is expected to grow to 10 aircraft per month by the end of 2018. The cabin layout ranges from 253 seats for Singapore Airlines to 389 for Air Caraibes, but mostly ranges between 280 and 320.

Design

In September 2017, at a meeting for existing and potential customers, Airbus presented the latest developments. The A350 XWB builds on technology developed for the A380 and features a similar cockpit and fly-by-wire remote control system.

Airbus expects to see a 10% reduction in airframe maintenance costs over the original A350. In addition, according to Airbus forecasts, the cost of an empty seat in the A350 is 14% less than that of the Boeing 777. The design of the A350-900 was finally completed in December 2008.

Materials (edit)

Airbus A350 is 53% composed of composite materials: for the outer and central compartments of the wing box (wing skin, stringers, spars), for the fuselage (skin, frames, keel boom and tail section) and for the tail unit (horizontal and vertical tail fins) used plastic reinforced with carbon fiber; 19% is accounted for by aluminum and aluminum-lithium alloy, which are used in the construction of wing ribs, floor beams, landing gear compartments; 14% is titanium, the chassis itself, as well as pylons and mounts are made of it; 6% - steel; 8% - other materials.

In the Airbus A350, the IMA system controls about 40 different aircraft functions, including landing gear, fuel consumption, pneumatics, on-board systems, and fire safety (on the A380, the IMA system has automated only 23 functions).

The main advantages of the IMA system are reduced maintenance costs and reduced aircraft weight, due to the replacement of about 50% of various processors and quick-change units.

The IMA system operates on the basis of the AFDX (Avionics Full Duplex Ethernet) network, the speed of which is 100 Mbit / s.

Power point

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine is based on the Trent 900 (from Airbus A380) and Trent 1000 engines. It is equipped with a 118-inch fan and has two thrust levels: 370 kN for the A350-900 and 430 kN for the A350-1000. The forced version of the engine is equipped with modernized fans - with the same diameter, the rotation speed is slightly higher, the design of the blades has been changed. All this allows engines to operate efficiently in high temperature conditions.

In addition, the Trent XWB engine is equipped with a special engine nacelle with noise reduction measures.

Systems

Honeywell supplies HGT 1700 model auxiliary power units (APUs) for the A350, which are 10% more efficient than the previous Honeywell APU design for TPE331 engines. In addition to the APU, Honeywell manufactures air control systems - a compressor air bleed system, an environment control system, a pressure control system in the cabin and additional cooling systems. All this makes it possible to create a more comfortable atmosphere for passengers on board with a humidity of about 20% and through air circulation.

Hamilton Sundstrand is supplying 100 kVA ram-air turbines for the A350, which are located on the underside of the fuselage.

Despite the problems that arose during the tests, the A350 aircraft were nevertheless equipped with lithium-ion batteries, which are more profitable in terms of the frequency of servicing (although the use of nickel-cadmium batteries was originally planned).

At the end of 2015, the French company Saft Groupe SA supplied lightweight lithium-ion batteries for the Airbus A350.

The Airbus A350 fuel system is entirely manufactured by the American company Parker Hannifin Corporation. This includes inert media systems, fuel metering and management systems, mechanical equipment and fuel pumps. In addition, Parker Hannifin also supplies hydraulic components such as tanks, piping, accumulators, thermal management, insulation, software and new pump designs for aircraft engines and electric motors.

Airbus A350 modifications

The development of three basic modifications of the Airbus A350 began in 2006. The first to fly was the airliner A350-900. The -1000 began flying in 2017. Work on version -800 was discontinued in 2014.

A350-800- a shortened version of the aircraft, designed to carry 280 passengers in a three-class layout at a distance of up to 15,200 km. Initially, it was planned to shorten the fuselage by 10 sections and increase the range of the airliner, but after conducting research it turned out that it was very difficult to optimize the aircraft and it would practically not surpass the -900 model, which, in the end, was preferred by the airlines. Eventually, at the Farnborough Air Show, Airbus announced the A330NEO to fill that market niche, and work on the -800 was discontinued.

A350-900- the first basic version of the aircraft put into operation in 2014. The liner can carry up to 325 passengers with three comfort classes. The maximum flight range is 15,000 km. According to Airbus, the A350-900 is 30% more economical per seat and has a 25% lower operating cost compared to the Boeing 777-200ER. The hourly fuel consumption of the A350-900 is 5800 kg / h compared to 6700 kg / h for the Boeing 777-200ER.

A350-900R- modification with an increased flight range. It provides for the installation of engines with increased thrust, reinforced structure and chassis with a take-off weight of up to 308 tons. This makes it possible to increase the amount of fuel and range by another 1500 km.

A350-900F- cargo modification of the aircraft, capable of delivering 92 tons of cargo to a distance of 9,300 km.

A350ULR (Ultra Long Range)- ultra-long-haul version of the Airbus A350 with a take-off weight of up to 280 tons and a fuel volume of up to 165 tons. This amount of fuel will allow the aircraft to make 19 hour long flights. The starting customer is Singapore Airlines, which has ordered 7 A350ULR aircraft for flights from Singapore to the United States. At the same time, the liner can accommodate only 170 passengers.

ACJ350 (Airbus Corporate Jet)- a private jet based on the -900ULR model. The liner can carry about 30 passengers with all the amenities, over a distance of up to 20,000 kilometers.

A350-1000- the aircraft with a fuselage extended up to 74 meters is the largest of the A350 family. The modification accommodates up to 366 passengers in a three-class configuration and can fly up to 14,800 km. On the market, it should replace the A340-600 and is a competitor for the Boeing 777X.

The fuselage of the aircraft is lengthened by 11 sections in comparison with the fuselage of the model -900. In addition, the elements of the wing, as well as the landing gear, have undergone changes (the main supports have six-wheeled bogies instead of four-wheeled ones). The thrust of the Trent XWB engines has also increased. With all these changes and with an increase in passenger capacity, the flight range of the liner practically did not change (only 200 km less than that of the -900 model).

Specifications

The latest Airbus model hit the market in the summer of 2016. There are a number of aircraft of this brand used by Aeroflot. Wikipedia reports that the liner flies 14,800 kilometers, this allows you to reach the easternmost edge of Russia and go to New York or Singapore directly from Moscow.

Singapore Airlines is an international airline operating an Airbus A350 in its fleet. The planes fly to 40 countries, landing at 90 airports. Now there are 11 airliners in the fleet, it is planned to purchase another 56 Airbus 350 900, which should replace the 300 model and the Boeing 777.

The plane is also used by Qatar Airways.

Specifications

The aircraft cabin can accommodate up to 314 people (the number depends on the configuration). It is divided into three parts, taking into account the passenger's ability to pay. The company provides superior services for a higher fee. The seats on the plane are located farther apart than in other airliners such as the Airbus A350, there is a monitor on the back of the seat in front, so that you can see entertainment program, a movie or play a computer game.

Airbus A350 900: outside view

The aircraft is equipped with:

• panoramic windows;
• high ceilings;
• improved air conditioning system;
• smart lighting is designed in such a way that you do not feel the change of belts.

How the salon works

The layout of the A350 900 liner is divided into three main compartments. It is quite large, but not like the 1000 model. There is business class, premium economy class, economy class. The aircraft can accommodate 253 people, while improved conditions are reserved for 42 seats, for the middle compartment there are only 24 seats, the remaining 187 go to economy class. All categories differ from each other in the level of service and comfort. Considering the financial situation, you can choose the level of convenience within your pocket.

Airbus A350 900 interior layout

Business Class

The Airbus A350 900 has two cabins with improved comfort levels. The seats are so loosely arranged that half of the aircraft is occupied by this compartment. Comfort is guaranteed. The chairs are located one at each end and two in the center. As a result, it turns out that there are two passes. Nobody bothers anyone if you need to go to the toilet.

The seat is luxuriously upholstered, it is large, acceptable for a business class, in other salons there is no such chair. You can use a table or unfold the chair, turning it into a full-fledged bed up to 198 centimeters long. Linen pillow and blanket included.

On the back of the chair in front is a 15.4-inch monitor equipped with noise-canceling headphones, power sockets, a USB input, a small cabinet and a small mirror. It is possible to watch cartoons for children, films for adults on the display, have fun with computer games, use the Internet. It is paid on board.

Important! A special order for a special menu must be made one day before departure. There is a restaurant on board where passengers sit at tables and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Premium Economy Class

For Russia, such a high-quality service for a small amount is practiced for the first time. Here the chairs are 49.53 centimeters wide. There are two seats on the sides, and four in the center. The salon has two aisles. The distance between the seats in the aisle is one meter. The backrest is lowered 125 degrees. There is a support for stiff legs.

Each seat is equipped with a personal light and two USB ports. In the presence of a socket for recharging mobile device... For carry-on luggage there is special place... The built-in display is 13.3 inches (less than in business class).

You are allowed to carry up to 35 kilograms of luggage with you. Check-in is faster as passengers with Premium Economy Class tickets are allowed ahead. Boarding on the airbus A350 900 is carried out from a separate entrance via the ladder. It is possible to order a menu.

Economy class

Thanks to Singapore Airlines, the distance between the seats has increased. There is a monitor with a smaller size than in the comfort zone, but the entertainment remains the same.

Where are the best and worst places

Scheme of good seats in the cabin of the Airbus A350 900

The cabin layout of an Airbus A350 900 shows that there are best and worst seats in the cabin.

The latter include:

• Rows 11, 17 and 18 are located near the technical room, so conversations in the kitchen and burning lights can interfere with a good rest on the road.
• Row 19 is intended for parents with children; a cradle is attached to the wall of the A350 Airbus. Neighbors may not like the constant fuss with the baby, his screams.

Best Premium Seat - Row 31 There is extra legroom to stretch out and relax.

In economy class, row 47 is a good seat. There is free legroom, there are no chairs in the front, which means that no one will fold the back of the seat on their feet. However, there is a toilet nearby, which creates additional inconveniences due to an unpleasant smell.

It is best to buy tickets for the 48th row with seats numbered A and K. They are located at the very side wall, you can look through the porthole, admiring the view outside the window. There are no seats in front, so it is easy to move around the cabin or stretch your legs.

The most bad places are in row 61 (A, B, C and H, J, K) and in row 62 (D, E, G). Due to the location at the end of the aircraft, the seat back cannot be reclined. And the kitchen behind the seats becomes a source of additional noise.

Additional Information! The air in the cabin is changed every 3 minutes. This allows you to feel comfortable in any class.

The A350 900 has a well thought out interior layout. The places are different enhanced comfort, since half of the liner is occupied by the business zone. Although most of the passengers should be huddled in the rest, they do not feel discomfort.

The Airbus A350 XWB was created when the aircraft manufacturer entered a new circle of competition with competitors. To leave Boeing products behind, the manufacturer began working on replacing the A330 and A340 models. What is the difference between the XWB liner and where are they located? best salon seats?

Features of the Airbus A350 XWB

The abbreviation eXtra Wide Body, used in the name, speaks of the specificity of the model: the interior is spacious. On the Airbus A350, the passenger capacity reaches 280-366 people, depending on the seating arrangement. A high rate does not affect comfort, because the manufacturer relies on the convenience of the client. The liner is used on long-haul flights where legroom is a priority.

The history of the creation of the Airbus A350

The manufacturer admits that the history of the aircraft's creation began with a mistake. In 2000, most airlines used the A330, leaving Boeing behind. When a competitor announced the development of the project, Airbus management did not believe that the declared characteristics were achievable. It announced that Boeing products were a reaction to their success and did not take action.

But in 2004, airline owners paid more attention to the Boeing proposal. This became noticeable during the procurement negotiations: Airbus products were losing ground, because competing airliners consumed 20% less fuel. The modernization of the old models could not solve the problem, and the designers began to create the Airbus 350-900. The process was delayed due to the fact that the project was criticized by potential buyers, and the concern, which was already launching A380 aircraft, did not have enough funds for parallel development.

The first flights of the Airbus A350 took place in 2013, and by this time the manufacturer's expenses had grown from the planned $ 5.3 billion to $ 15 billion. A year later, the company received certificates confirming that even if 1 engine fails, the aircraft will stay in the air for at least 6 hours.

Airbus A350 XWB cabin: video

The main differences between the Airbus A350 XWB

The main advantages of the Airbus A350 XWB are as follows:

• To lighten the weight of the liner and reduce fuel consumption, the manufacturer used composite materials. Of these, 53% of the hull is made, 3% more than that of the Dreamliner: this reduces the cost of operation.
• The wings, also made of composite materials, have an area of ​​442 square meters: such characteristics have not yet been achieved with the construction of single-deck models. An innovation was the so-called sharklets - endings that replaced the classic winglets.
• Special attention was paid to the shape of the liner, which made it possible to reduce friction during flight. The manufacturer claims to have combined the clues of nature with developments in the field of science. As a result of the improvement in the indicator, the interior was expanded, therefore, in the compacted configuration, the seats are located according to the 3-4-3 scheme.
• To improve reliability, the chassis design was revised: a measure is necessary due to the use of composite materials. It is equipped with fasteners that distribute the load evenly. The number of wheels on the bogie depends on the model of the aircraft: for the A350-900 - 4, for the A350-1000 - 6.
• The cockpit was also introduced to the Airbus A350. The developer uses 35cm liquid crystal displays. He also introduced a new 6-screen configuration that allows pilots to see data from different instruments at the same time. The cockpit contains 2 central displays, 2 navigation and 2 general information displays (1 each for the pilot and the assistant). Indicators reflecting indicators on the windshield have also been introduced: this was the first time that Boeing had used such an innovation.
• The avionics changes were a logical continuation of the developments used on the A380. The number of functions has reached 40 (up from 23 on the previous model). The manufacturer says the result is a reduction in liner weight and lower maintenance costs. After all, the new avionics has replaced numerous processors by almost 50%!

Improving the performance of the Airbus 350-900 was aimed at reducing maintenance costs. This made ticket prices affordable for passengers. Reliability was added to the pluses, because the aircraft is able to stay in the air until 19:00, without requiring additional maintenance.

Airbus A350 XWB engine characteristics

The aircraft is equipped with new engines of the Trent XWB family, and passengers enjoy silence during the trip. Airbus research has shown that the noise footprint generated is reduced by 50% and fuel consumption by 25%. According to statistics, an airplane spends 2.9 liters to transport 1 person per 100 km. fuel. This is comparable to the consumption of a family car.

Airbus A350 modifications

In addition to the main model Airbus A350, the manufacturer produces and develops the following airliners:

• A350-1000 designed for 350-366 people who will be accommodated in 3 classes. The model is designed for flights across the Pacific Ocean.
• A350-900 capable of transporting 314 people over a distance of 15 thousand km. The differences lie in economical fuel consumption and cheap maintenance. Work is underway on a cargo version of the A350-900F and the 900R (essentially a longer A380 model).
• AirbusA350 ULR acquired carrier Singapore Airlines. The planes for long-haul flights are planned to be commissioned in 2018. The carrier will purchase 7 airliners that will connect New York and Singapore. It is planned that the ship will be able to spend 20 hours in the air.
• ACJ350 released for corporate transport. Although the capacity will not exceed 30 passengers, they will cover distances of 20 thousand km.

By 2018, 154 aircraft were produced, and 17 airlines operate them. These include Delta Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Finnair.

In 2018, deliveries of Aeroflot aircraft are to begin.

Airbus A350 XWB Specifications

Airbus A350: photo

What the Airbus A350-900 model looks like

Photo of the economy class cabin Airbus A350

The salon in the "business" compartment of the Airbus A350 XWB

Cockpit

Seat map of the Airbus A350-900 XWB: "Lufthansa"

Lufthansa operates a layout that accommodates 48 passengers in the business cabin, 21 in Superior Economy and 224 in Economy. What to consider when choosing the best locations?

Airbus A350 900 XWB: Lufthansa cabin layout

Choose the best location in the Airbus A350 XWB business cabin

All chairs, arranged in a 2-2-2 pattern, can be expanded 180º and relaxed, almost like in your own bedroom. You will also find a buffet where you can get snacks and drinks. As for the choice of seats, some options are not so comfortable: the 6th and 7th rows are located near the toilets. The 1st row is considered convenient, but it is located near the buffet: scurrying passengers interfere with rest.

"Superior Economy" Airbus A350 XWB

Choosing to fly in the Airbus A350 XWB Superior Economy Class, the cabin has ample legroom (97 cm) and food that is close to the kitchen of the business sector. Rows 14-15 are considered comfortable; on the 12th you can't put it under your feet carry-on luggage during takeoff and landing.

Economy class: how to choose the best seats in the cabin

The compartment includes rows from the 16th to the 42nd, and the distance between them is 78 cm; the seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 pattern. Consider the following when choosing your seats:

• The best location is at 28 K and 28 A, since there is no seat in front.
• Couples love to fly 27 B, C, H or J. Seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 pattern so neighbors do not interfere with communication. Also, the seats are located near the emergency exits, which provides additional legroom. Not without its drawbacks, because the pull-out tables are mounted on the armrests. This reduces the width of the seats, and the proximity of the toilets is troublesome.
• Seats 27 D, E and G are considered a bad option: their width is reduced due to the retractable tables fixed in the armrests. Avoid boarding 41 D and G as you will be disturbed by the proximity of restrooms. But the worst options are the rest of the seats in the 41st row and the entire 42nd, because their backs do not recline.

Other seating options on the Airbus A350 XWB are standard. Although you will not receive additional benefits, the carrier assures: the cabin is so comfortable that you will not feel inconvenience even on long flights.

Flight review in the Airbus A350, 02/05/2018, the passenger flew in seat 8A

I had to spend 10.5 hours in the air, so I was not going to buy an economy class ticket. But the "business" was a disappointment: although the chair was comfortable, with many functions, the noise of the engines interfered with me. In addition, the seat is too narrow: it has a place in the "premium economy". The plane loses to Boeing liners, so next time I would prefer to postpone the trip, but get on the B 787.

Cabin Layout of Airbus A350: Best Seats on Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines operates a seating arrangement with 42 seats in Business Class, 24 in Superior Economy and 187 in Economy.

Business Class Differences: Best and Worst Options

Almost half of the Airbus A350 XWB cabin is dedicated to the business compartment; the seats are arranged according to the scheme 1-2-1. The seat can be folded out to create a 198 cm bed. If you prefer to stay awake, watch movies on the 15.4-inch screen. And to get the most out of it, choose the right places:

In general, travelers' reviews of flights in the business section are positive; complaints arise only from tall people for whom a seat with a reclined back seems short.

"Improved economy" of the cabin of the Airbus A350 XWB

This sector on the Airbus A350 XWB occupies rows 31-33, with the seats arranged in a 2-4-2 pattern. If you can book seats, opt for row 31 with extra legroom; the disadvantage will be the proximity of the cradles where the parents put their babies. In the 33rd, there are not the best places, since on D and G the tables are mounted on fixed armrests: the seat width decreases.

Best Airbus A350 XWB Economy Class Accommodations

Economy class seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 pattern; an exception is the 47th row with extra legroom (2-3-2). Better than it are only the 48 A and 48 K seats, since there are no seats in front of them.

Bad options include the 61st row, except for D, E and G, and the 62nd, consisting of 3 seats. Since they are located against the partitions, their backs do not recline.

Singapore Airlines review on 04/22/2018 with seat 41D

Although the diagrams mark location 41D as convenient, I disagree. The fact is that stewardesses, entering from the "improved economic", cannot immediately orient themselves in a different arrangement of seats. The girls constantly bumped into my seat, which made it difficult to sleep. They brushed my legs, and I was afraid all the time that the stewardess would stumble and fall.

Conclusion

Airbus A350 XWB is a family of airliners competing with famous Boeing Dreamliner. Since the management of Aeroflot has planned deliveries of these aircraft in 2018, one can expect that they will appear on Russian airlines as well.

Look for cheap plane tickets from the comfort of your home:

The Airbus A350 is a new wide-body long-haul airliner developed by the Airbus concern (EADS).

Formally, the A350 project was launched on December 1, 2006 with the aim of replacing the A330 and A340 aircraft. The main goal of the airliner is to compete with the American company Boeing. The new Airbus A350 is a direct competitor to the Boeing 777 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, also known as the Boeing 7E7.

Initially, the Airbus consortium wanted to use the A330 as the basis for a new aircraft. It was supposed to install new engines on the A330 and rework the aerodynamics of the aircraft. This project was named "A330-200 Lite". But then this idea was abandoned, and the design of the A350 began as the development of a new aircraft. Although the fuselage of the first version of the A350 outwardly resembled the A330, it was nevertheless a different aircraft with new wings made of new composite materials based on carbon fiber, with new engines and new flight stabilizers. The A350 also featured a modern layout and interior trim with up to nine seats in one row. The new aircraft project was named A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body).

On August 31, 2010, the first stage of aircraft construction began.eta. New composite materials were widely used during its construction. They make up 52 percent of the total weight of the aircraft. Airbus expects the aircraft to be 10-15 percent cheaper to operate than its direct competitor Boeing 787. In early 2013, ground tests of the first Airbus A350 were carried out. The first flight of the new A350 took place on July 14, 2013. It was the Airbus A350-900.

The new aircraft is equipped with two Trent XWB turbojet engines with a thrust each of 374.5 kN from Rolls & Royce. Negotiations are also underway with General Electric on the use of GEnx (General Electric Next-generation) engines. Airbus said the A350 with the new engines should improve fuel efficiency by 25 percent over the A330.

The airliner will be offered to air carriers in three modifications.

The first shorter version, 60.54 meters long, designated the A350-800. It is designed to carry 245 passengers in three classes at a distance of 15,900 kilometers. The estimated commissioning time for this modification is at the end of 2014 or at the beginning of 2015.

The second version, it is also the basic one, is A350-900. This version will fly 15,000 kilometers. And is able to hold 314 passenger seats in a three-class configuration or 366 seats in a two-class configuration. The length of the aircraft is 66.89 meters. This version will enter service in the second half of 2014.

The third modification of the aircraft - A350-1000, is the largest aircraft of all Airbus family A350. Its length is 73.88 meters. It will begin arriving at airlines from mid-2015. This version is capable of carrying up to 412 passengers in two classes or 350 passengers in a three-class configuration. The flight range of this model will be equal to 14,900 kilometers.

To date, the Airbus consortium, from its customers, has already received about 580 orders for the supply of A350s of various modifications.

Technical characteristics of the basic version of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft

• First flight: July 14, 2013
• Commissioning: second half of 2014.
• Length: 66.89 m.
• Height: 17.1 m.
• Empty weight: 115,700 kg.
• Fuselage width: 5.96 m.
• Wing area: 440 sq. m.
• Wingspan: 64.75 m
• Cruising speed: 905 km / h.
• Maximum speed: 950 km / h.
• Ceiling: 13000 m.
• Flight range: 15000 km.
• Engines: 2 turbojet engines Rolls & Royce Trent XWB or General Electric GEnx with 374.5 kN thrust
• Crew: 2 people
• Number of passenger seats: from 270 to 366 seats

Airbus A350-900. Gallery.

Airbus A350 video