The Airbus A350 is a twin-engine, long-range, wide-body airliner, which was launched in 2006, partly in response to Boeing’s development of the 787 Dreamliner. It is available in two variants: A350-900 and A350-1000. Over 70 per cent of the airframe is constructed from carbon composites and aluminium alloys leading to a light structure which, when combined with the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofans, has resulted in an aircraft with 25 per cent lower operating costs and a significant reduction in fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions. The A350-900 first flew in June 2013 and entered service less than two years later. The stretched A350-1000 made its maiden flight in November 2016 and began commercial flights in February 2018. The A350 provides airlines with flexibility and versatility in the range/payload combinations that it offers and by September 2013, almost 1,000 aircraft had been ordered.

In celebration of the aircraft’s tenth anniversary in commercial service, Nigel Richardson describes the evolution, design and development of the A350 through to its entry into service with major airlines and how it may further evolve in the future with high-quality illustrations and technical information.