WoT: Experimental Elongated Airbus Wings To Fly Next Year | Aviation International News

Farnborough Airshow 2026

Sustainability and Environment

WoT? Experimental Elongated Airbus Wings To Fly Next Year

New three-year campaign will design, build, and fly wing extension devices

Airbus Wing of Tomorrow — Airbus validated early concepts via digital simulation and has “performed intensive wind tunnel testing to really evaluate and optimize” different variants, according to technology project lead Richard MacPherson.

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

July 22, 2026

Airbus has launched the next phase of its Wing of Tomorrow (WoT) development program, kicking off a three-year effort to assess the benefits and challenges of extended-length wingspans. With the first experimental folding wings due to commence assembly imminently, Airbus hopes to start testing the concept in flight on an Airbus A321neo testbed around the second half of next year.

Wing efficiency is “one of the biggest levers we have to improve the performance of our aircraft,” Airbus technology project lead Richard MacPherson told reporters during a briefing at the Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday, adding that Wing of Tomorrow “has the potential to give the same, if not more, efficiency gains than next generation engines.” This program phase will analyze the performance benefits and aerodynamic qualities of longer wings, helping inform future narrowbody design decisions.

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