Aircraft
Airbus keeps A350XWB on the 787’s tail
While it seems like the A380 first flew only a short time ago, Airbus is well into its next program–the A350 XWB (eXtra widebody).

While it seems like the A380 first flew only a short time ago, Airbus is well into its next program–the A350 XWB (eXtra widebody). The planned family is scheduled to begin operations in mid-2013 competing against the Boeing 787 (expected to enter service early next year) and some variants of the 777, which began commercial flights in 1995. Manufacturing of the first A350 began last year and final assembly plants are under construction in France, Germany and the UK.

The XWB variant arose after Airbus abandoned the proposed 222-inch diameter cross section of the A300, A310, A330 and A340 programs for a new, wider structure. Its 10-abreast seating, not previously available from Airbus, will accommodate up to 475 passengers in stretched, high-density variants.