Carbon fiber changed what a twin could do on long sectors, and the Airbus A350 XWB is the clearest expression of that shift. Built around a composite fuselage and wing with a cabin cross section wider than anything in its class, the A350 flies up to 9,700nm on two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and holds a shared type rating with the A330.
The family covers the 300 seat A350-900, the stretched A350-1000, and the A350F freighter now in flight test. By the end of April 2026 it had taken 1,579 orders from 68 customers, with more than 700 aircraft in service with 41 operators. Full technical and dimensional data is published by Airbus.
Airbus A350 XWB Specifications
| Manufacturer | Airbus S.A.S., Blagnac, France. Final assembly at Toulouse |
| Type | Long range twin-aisle widebody airliner |
| Family members | A350-900 (A350-941), A350-1000 (A350-1041), A350F. The A350-800 was canceled before production |
| First flight | 14 June 2013 (A350-900); 24 November 2016 (A350-1000); 29 September 2026 (A350F) |
| Certification | EASA type certificate EASA.A.151. A350-941 certified 30 September 2014, A350-1041 certified 21 November 2017 |
| Entry into service | January 2015, with Qatar Airways |
| Production status | Active |
| Orders and fleet | 1,579 orders from 68 customers at the end of April 2026, more than 700 aircraft flying with 41 operators |
| Engines | 2x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 or XWB-84EP, 84,200 lbf (A350-900). 2x Trent XWB-97, 97,000 lbf (A350-1000 and A350F) |
| Max range | 8,300nm (15,372km) A350-900; 8,700nm (16,112km) A350-1000; approximately 9,700nm for the A350-900ULR and A350-1000ULR |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.85 (approximately 487 KTAS). Mmo Mach 0.89 |
| Max operating altitude | 43,100ft (A350-900); 41,450ft (A350-1000) |
| Takeoff field length | Approximately 2,600m at MTOW (A350-900); approximately 2,800m (A350-1000), sea level ISA |
| Landing field length | Approximately 1,975m at 207t landing weight (A350-900); up to approximately 2,100m at 235t (A350-1000), sea level, dry |
| Max takeoff weight (MTOW) | 283t (623,900 lb) A350-900; 322t (709,900 lb) A350-1000, per EASA TCDS. Airbus brochure data quotes 319t for the A350-1000 |
| Max landing weight | 207t (A350-900); 236t (A350-1000) |
| Passenger capacity | 300 to 350 in three classes (A350-900); 350 to 410 (A350-1000). Certified maximum 440 and 480 respectively |
| Crew | 2 flight crew. Minimum 8 cabin crew |
| Wingspan | 64.75m (212ft 5in) |
| Length | 66.80m (219ft 2in) A350-900; 73.79m (242ft 1in) A350-1000 |
| Height | 17.05m (55ft 11in) |
| Fuel capacity | 140,795 liters standard and 166,488 liters with the extended tank option (A350-900); 158,791 liters (A350-1000) |
| Aerodrome reference code | 4E |
| Price (new) | Airbus no longer publishes list prices. The 2018 figures were $317.4 million (A350-900) and $366.5 million (A350-1000). New delivery transaction values are assessed between $150 million and $200 million |
| Operating cost | Approximately $8,500 to $9,500 per block hour, all in |
Airbus A350 XWB – History and Overview
Development and Background
The program that became the A350 XWB began as a defensive one. Airbus first proposed a re-winged, re-engined A330 in 2004, and airlines rejected it as insufficient against the all-composite Boeing 787. Airbus relaunched the aircraft in 2006 as a clean sheet design with a wider fuselage, taking the XWB name from that extra width.
First flight followed on 14 June 2013 and EASA certified the A350-941 on 30 September 2014. Qatar Airways placed the first aircraft into service in January 2015, and the stretched A350-1041 was certified on 21 November 2017.
The A350-800, a shrink aimed at the 787-8, was canceled before production as operators converted orders to the -900 and -1000. Certification detail for both current models sits in EASA type certificate data sheet EASA.A.151.
Design and Performance
Fuselage and wing are carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and advanced materials account for more than 70 percent of the structure. The cabin measures 5.61m at its widest, which is what allows nine-abreast economy at a seat width operators can sell against eight-abreast competitors. Composite frames and skin panels change the inspection regime rather than simply saving weight.
The wing spans 64.75m on both passenger variants and uses morphing trailing edge devices that adjust camber in cruise to hold the optimum profile as fuel burns off. Trent XWB engines are unique to the type, with the -84 rating on the A350-900 and the -97 on the A350-1000 and the freighter.
It shares a type rating with the A330, needs roughly 2,600m of runway at maximum weight and cruises at Mach 0.85 up to 43,100ft. Airbus claims a 25 percent fuel burn advantage over the previous generation of large widebodies.
Variants
- A350-900 (A350-941): baseline model, certified September 2014. Trent XWB-84, 283t MTOW, 300 to 350 seats, 8,300nm. The large majority of the fleet.
- A350-900ULR: ultra long range version launched by Singapore Airlines and delivered from 2018, using the extended fuel option to reach approximately 9,700nm. No airframe stretch and no additional tank, only fuel system and weight changes.
- A350-1000 (A350-1041): stretched by seven meters, certified November 2017. Trent XWB-97, 322t MTOW, six-wheel main bogies in place of the four-wheel units, 350 to 410 seats.
- A350-1000ULR: twelve aircraft for Qantas Project Sunrise, with a 20,000 liter rear center tank and a revised fuel system. First flew 2 June 2026, first delivery due April 2027.
- A350F: freighter on the A350-1000 airframe with a 4.3m main deck cargo door, carrying up to 111 tonnes. First flight 29 September 2026, with 115 orders recorded at the end of August 2026 and entry into service targeted for the second half of 2027.
- A350-800: proposed 270 seat shrink, canceled in 2014. None were built.
Operators
Qatar Airways launched the type and remains among the largest operators, alongside Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Air France, Delta Air Lines, British Airways and Japan Airlines. Fleet growth through 2025 and 2026 added EgyptAir as the first African operator, Swiss, Edelweiss and KLM, which took its first aircraft in October 2026.
Government and VIP use is a small but visible share. The German Air Force operates A350-900s in head of state configuration, and a handful of other states have taken the type for long range transport.
Current Status
Production continues at Toulouse with the backlog running well into the 2030s. The A350F made its first flight on 29 September 2026 as the first of two test aircraft, and the A350-1000ULR flew on 2 June 2026 ahead of certification for Qantas.
There is no used market in the conventional sense. Early A350-900s are reaching the end of first lease terms and trading between lessors, and values have held up better than most new generation widebodies. Monthly lease rates run around $0.9 million to $1.2 million for the -900 and $1.2 million to $1.4 million for the -1000, and parts and tire support are current production rather than legacy supply.
Airbus A350 XWB Landing Gear and Tires
Landing Gear Configuration
The A350-900 uses a retractable tricycle layout with a twin-wheel nose gear and two four-wheel main bogies, giving ten wheels in total. The A350-1000 carries the stretch and the higher 322t weight on two six-wheel main bogies, for fourteen wheels. That extra axle is what keeps pavement loading inside the same aerodrome reference code 4E envelope as the shorter aircraft.
Main gear comes from Safran Landing Systems and the nose gear from Liebherr-Aerospace. Both variants run carbon brakes with anti-skid, and the A350-1000 adds a steerable rear axle on each main bogie to limit tyre scrub in tight turns. Main wheel sizes differ between the two models, so main gear part numbers are not interchangeable across the family.
No airworthiness directive currently affects tire selection on the type.
Airbus A350 XWB Tire Specifications
| Nose wheel tire size | 1050x395R16 28PR, both variants. 2 wheels on a 16in rim |
| Main gear tire size | 1400x530R23 42PR (A350-900), 8 wheels on 23in rims. 50×20.0R22 34PR (A350-1000), 12 wheels on 22in rims, with 36PR also listed on the type certificate |
| Ply rating | 28PR nose. 42PR main on the A350-900, 34PR or 36PR main on the A350-1000 |
| Construction | Radial, tubeless |
| Speed rating | 245 mph nose, 235 mph main |
| Compatible brands | Michelin and Bridgestone. Goodyear does not produce the 1400x530R23 size |
| Part numbers | Michelin M20301 (nose), M18801 (A350-900 main), M42203 (A350-1000 main). Bridgestone APR06505 (nose), APR06931 (A350-900 main), APR07676 (A350-1000 main) |
Verify specifications against the aircraft Maintenance Manual, the illustrated parts catalog and applicable airworthiness directives before ordering. Inflation pressures are AMM data and vary by weight variant, so take them from the manual for your serial number rather than from any published figure.
Main Gear Tires
The A350-900 runs eight 1400x530R23 42PR radials, the heaviest ply rating in that size. The same 1400x530R23 casing appears on the A330, A340 and A380 at 32PR, 36PR and 40PR, and those lower rated parts are not substitutes on the A350. Michelin lists M18801 and Bridgestone lists APR06931 against the 42PR fitment.
The A350-1000 moves to twelve smaller 50×20.0R22 34PR tires spread across the six-wheel bogies. Michelin covers that position with M42203 and Bridgestone with APR07676. Several other 50×20.0R22 34PR part numbers exist for the Boeing 787-8, so match on the application in the parts catalog rather than on size and ply rating alone.
Nose Wheel Tire
Both variants use the same 1050x395R16 28PR nose tire at a 245 mph speed rating, which distinguishes it from the otherwise identical 235 mph part fitted to the A330 and A340. Michelin M20301 and Bridgestone APR06505 are the current fitments. Nose tires on the type are normally retired on wear and cut damage rather than on cycles.
Approved and Compatible Brands
The following fitments apply to the Airbus A350 XWB in the correct size, ply rating and speed rating:
- Michelin Air X M18801, 1400x530R23 42PR, 235 mph, A350-900 main gear
- Michelin Air X M20301, 1050x395R16 28PR, 245 mph, nose gear on both variants
- Michelin Air X M42203, 50×20.0R22 34PR, A350-1000 main gear
- Bridgestone APR06931, 1400x530R23 42PR, 235 mph, A350-900 main gear. Also stocked as a retreaded (RP) tire in the same size and ply rating
- Bridgestone APR06505 (nose) and APR07676 (A350-1000 main) complete the Bridgestone fitment set and can be sourced to order
- Goodyear produces no 1400x530R23 tire, so there is no Goodyear option for the A350-900 main gear
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Airbus A350 XWB still in production?
Yes. Airbus builds the A350-900 and A350-1000 at Toulouse, the A350-1000ULR is in certification for Qantas, and the A350F freighter began flight testing in September 2026 ahead of service entry in the second half of 2027.
What are the Airbus A350 XWB specifications?
The A350-900 seats 300 to 350 in three classes, weighs 283t at takeoff and flies 8,300nm on two Trent XWB-84 engines. The A350-1000 stretches the fuselage by seven meters, lifts MTOW to 322t on Trent XWB-97 engines and carries 350 to 410. Full dimensions and field performance are in the table above.
What is the range of the Airbus A350 XWB?
8,300nm (15,372km) for the A350-900 and 8,700nm (16,112km) for the A350-1000 at typical three class payload. The A350-900ULR and the A350-1000ULR reach approximately 9,700nm, enough for nonstop sectors of up to 22 hours.
What is the Airbus A350 XWB price?
Airbus stopped publishing list prices in 2018, when they stood at $317.4 million for the A350-900 and $366.5 million for the A350-1000. Transaction values for new deliveries are assessed between $150 million and $200 million depending on weight variant, cabin and delivery slot.
What does the Airbus A350 XWB cost to operate per hour?
Industry estimates put all-in block hour costs at roughly $8,500 to $9,500, with fuel around half of that. The A350-900 burns about 5.8 to 6.2 tonnes per hour and the A350-1000 around 6.9 tonnes, varying with sector length, fuel price and utilization.
Where can I find an Airbus A350 XWB for sale?
Almost all A350 movement happens through lessors and sale and leaseback rather than open listings. Early A350-900s coming off first lease terms are beginning to trade, handled by the major lessors and asset trading desks rather than conventional aircraft sales platforms.
What interior options does the Airbus A350 XWB offer?
Cabins are specified by the operator rather than chosen from a catalog, within certified exit limits of 440 passengers on the A350-900 and 480 on the A350-1000. Economy is normally nine abreast at 18 inches, with premium cabins running from lie-flat seats to full suites.
What is the Airbus A350 XWB landing distance?
The A350-900 needs roughly 1,975m of dry runway at its 207t maximum landing weight at sea level in standard conditions. The A350-1000 needs up to approximately 2,100m at 235t. Both figures drop substantially at lighter landing weights.
What tire size does the Airbus A350 XWB use?
The A350-900 uses 1400x530R23 42PR main gear tires, eight per aircraft, and 1050x395R16 28PR nose tires. The A350-1000 uses twelve 50×20.0R22 34PR main gear tires on its six-wheel bogies with the same 1050x395R16 28PR nose tire. Verify against the AMM and parts catalog for your serial number and weight variant before ordering.
Which tire brands are approved for the Airbus A350 XWB?
Michelin and Bridgestone produce the approved fitments in both main gear sizes and the nose size. Goodyear does not manufacture the 1400x530R23 size used on the A350-900 main gear. Part numbers by gear position are listed above.
How much do Airbus A350 XWB tires cost?
Main gear radials in these sizes run into several thousand dollars each, with the 42PR 1400x530R23 at the top of the range. Retreads cost significantly less and are standard practice across airline fleets.
What is the tire pressure for the Airbus A350 XWB?
Inflation pressures are published in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual and vary by weight variant and gear position. Take them from the manual applicable to the specific airframe rather than from any general figure.
How long do Airbus A350 XWB tires last?
Main gear tires on large widebodies typically give 200 to 300 landings before removal, though the range is wide. Runway surface, braking technique, taxi distance and ambient temperature all drive wear, and casings are retreaded several times before the carcass is scrapped.
How often should Airbus A350 XWB tires be changed?
Removal is driven by wear to the limit marker, exposed reinforcing ply, cuts and sidewall damage, and by pressure loss outside limits at check. Condition and pressure are checked at every transit and daily inspection, and the AMM and operator maintenance program set the final limits.
