Airbus A350 XWB news

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sn26567
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by sn26567 »

IAG has decided to order an undefined number of Airbus A350-1000s soon for British Airways. IAG is still mulling some Boeing 777-9X aircraft as well.

Source: Wall Street Journal (Breaking)
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RoMax
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Re: Airbus A350 news

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I hear that they'll order both the A350-900 and the A350-1000 for replacement at both BA and IB. They still plan to order the 777-9X as well (bigger than the A350-1000, so the perfect aircraft to fill the gap towards the A380).
That will be quite an interesting long haul fleet for IAG:
- 787-8 (8 for BA)
- 787-9 (16 for BA)
- A350-900 (BA and/or IB)
- A350-1000 (BA and/or IB)
- 777-9X (BA only probably)
- A380-800 (12 for BA)
Also note they have 6 rather new 77W's, with 6 more to come.

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RoMax
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by RoMax »

Maybe also important to mention, Lufthansa is about to place an order for the A350 and/or 787 (not really clear if it could be both or just one of the two) in September. The 777-8X is also under evaluation by LH, the 777-9X is too close to the 748i according to LH.

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by Desert Rat »

quixoticguide wrote:Airbus A350 first flight will be July or Aug, EADS CEO Enders tells reporters in NYC.
In time for Paris? Would take a "miracle," he says.
I guess AIB will do anything for the miracle to happen. With the 787 grounded, it's the perfect time to push the balls to the wall....toga style!

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RoMax
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by RoMax »

Desert Rat wrote:
quixoticguide wrote:Airbus A350 first flight will be July or Aug, EADS CEO Enders tells reporters in NYC.
In time for Paris? Would take a "miracle," he says.
I guess AIB will do anything for the miracle to happen. With the 787 grounded, it's the perfect time to push the balls to the wall....toga style!
They will not do anything for that miracle to happen... The aim of a first flight is NEVER to be at an airshow on time and that's also exactly what Airbus and EADS said. It's nice to show it overthere, but not a commercial goal at this moment in the program.
Besides, the FAA said 787 recertification will be "soon" probably (without giving a date), other sources give a 24 April target. If the 787 is still not back in the air by the time of Le Bourget, there's something really wrong (and if it does, Le Bourget already said there will be two 787's at the show, one from Boeing and one from Qatar).

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by Desert Rat »

Did I say that the 350 will be at the airshow?

No....

What I say is Airbus will probably try to first flight the a/c before the airshow.

Difference.

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Re: Airbus A350 news

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Desert Rat wrote:Did I say that the 350 will be at the airshow?

No....

What I say is Airbus will probably try to first flight the a/c before the airshow.

Difference.
Indeed, big difference, and what I denied was exactly what you said, that they'll try to do the first flight before the airshow. They will not. First flight is planned for July or August, unless things go faster then expected, they'll have no first flight before the airshow and they'll not push for it to happen (as I said in my previous post). Airbus also said that in the case they may do a first flight before the airshow, they'll prefer to stay in TLS for testing than going to Le Bourget.

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by appel »

I think what desert rat is thinking is that if the 350 does his first flight before the airshow/trade fair that there is a bigger chance to get some more orders for it.
We have to remember that Le Bourget is more for the business public then for us normal people.
Last time the 787 left before the public days

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by Desert Rat »

appel wrote:I think what desert rat is thinking is that if the 350 does his first flight before the airshow/trade fair that there is a bigger chance to get some more orders for it.
Well, not really more orders ....but strategically and for "potential" orders, that would be a nice signal to the industry....meanwhile the 787 is still grounded.

See what I mean?

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by Boeing767copilot »

AIRBUS A350 ORDERS

International Airlines Group (IAG) is ordering Airbus A350 aircraft for the group's longhaul fleet.

For British Airways, there are 18 A350-1000 firm orders, plus 18 options. These are in addition to 18 Boeing 787 options which IAG announced previously that it plans to convert into firm orders.

The A350 and Boeing 787 firm orders will be used to replace 30 Boeing 747-400 aircraft between 2017 and 2023 while the options can be used to replace aircraft or provide opportunities for growth.

For Iberia, IAG has also reached agreement with Airbus as well as Boeing to secure commercial terms and delivery slots that could lead to firm orders for A350s and/or Boeing 787s. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is in a position to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.

The A350 will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The order includes a comprehensive maintenance package with total care agreement.

Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: "The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet. Its size and range will be an excellent fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there is an opportunity to operate a new range of destinations profitably. This will not only bring greater flexibility to our network but also more choice for our customers.

"Both aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of more than 20 per cent.

"This order will also secure jobs in Britain and Spain. The A350's wings are made in Britain while its horizontal tail plane, horizontal tail plane boxes and lower wing covers are made in Spain. Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines are assembled in Britain
".

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Re: Airbus A350 news

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The first Airbus A350 XWB is now in the paint shop and is expected to make its first flight next month, reportedly bypassing a traditional roll-out ceremony. Rumours have begun once again about the possibility that the A350 XWB could make an appearance at the Paris Air Show.
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by earthman »

Since the 787, roll-out ceremonies are considered bad luck by aircraft manufacturers?

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by sn26567 »

The first Airbus A350XWB has emerged out of the paint shop. A beauty:

Image
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by RoMax »

I need to get used to that sharp nose, the winglets instead of raked wingtips (newer 777 versions, 748 and 787) and the proportions of the aircraft. Until now I'm a bigger fan of the 787-looks.

Edit: sharklets => raked wingtips
Last edited by RoMax on 13 May 2013, 17:07, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Airbus A350 news

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by earthman »

They seem to have gotten rid of the upward sloping windows at the rear of the plane, as compared to the A330 series?

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by sn26567 »

At the same time, it was learned that Airbus, which decided to switch to classic batteries after the 787 battery incidents, might revert to lithium-ion batteries after the launch of the A350 and, of course, extensive testing of such batteries.
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by sn26567 »

The roll out on video:

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AirOpinion
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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by AirOpinion »

Looks like finally there is a good looking Airbus!

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Re: Airbus A350 news

Post by RoMax »

AirOpinion wrote:Looks like finally there is a good looking Airbus!
In my opinion the A340's are better looking...

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