The first completed A350 XWB from Airbus, "MSN1," was unveiled at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France on May 13, 2013. "XWB" means "extra wide body."
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
The first completed A350 XWB from Airbus, "MSN1," was unveiled at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France on May 13, 2013. "XWB" means "extra wide body."
courtesy Airbus
This photo taken on March 26, 2013 shows the A350-900 Airbus plane during its assembly at the European aircraft maker's production plant in Toulouse. There are three members in the A350 family: The A350-800, the A350-900 and the A350-1000, which seat 270, 314 and 350 passengers, respectively, in three-class seating.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
This photo taken on March 26, 2013 shows the A350-900 Airbus plane during its assembly at the European aircraft maker's production plant in Toulouse. There are three members in the A350 family: The A350-800, the A350-900 and the A350-1000, which seat 270, 314 and 350 passengers, respectively, in three-class seating.
REMY GABALDA/AFP/Getty Images
Technicians look at a Rolls-Royce jet engine, provided by UTC Aerospace Systems (formerly known as Goodrich), as they work on an A350-900 Airbus plane at the European aircraft maker's production plant in Toulouse.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
Technicians look at a Rolls-Royce jet engine, provided by UTC Aerospace Systems (formerly known as Goodrich), as they work on an A350-900 Airbus plane at the European aircraft maker's production plant in Toulouse.
REMY GABALDA/AFP/Getty Images
Technicians work on an A350-900 Airbus plane. Over 70% of the A350 XWB's airframe is made from advanced materials that combine composites (53%), titanium and advanced aluminum alloys.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
Technicians work on an A350-900 Airbus plane. Over 70% of the A350 XWB's airframe is made from advanced materials that combine composites (53%), titanium and advanced aluminum alloys.
REMY GABALDA/AFP/Getty Images
The next-generation A350 plane from Airbus takes off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport, southwestern France, on its first test flight on June 14, 2013. It was regarded as a milestone for an airliner that the firm hopes will challenge Boeing's 787 Dreamliner in the lucrative long-haul market.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
The next-generation A350 plane from Airbus takes off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport, southwestern France, on its first test flight on June 14, 2013. It was regarded as a milestone for an airliner that the firm hopes will challenge Boeing's 787 Dreamliner in the lucrative long-haul market.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
The A350 was crewed for its maiden flight by a British and a French test pilot assisted by a flight engineer and three other engineers at the back.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
The A350 was crewed for its maiden flight by a British and a French test pilot assisted by a flight engineer and three other engineers at the back.
AFP/Getty Images
"I knew it was going to be impressive, but I was blown away," Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said after the A350 XWB takeoff.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
"I knew it was going to be impressive, but I was blown away," Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said after the A350 XWB takeoff.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
Aviation enthusiasts around the world had their eyes on France on Friday, eager to catch the long-awaited inaugural flight of the Airbus A350 XWB.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
Aviation enthusiasts around the world had their eyes on France on Friday, eager to catch the long-awaited inaugural flight of the Airbus A350 XWB.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
As for the likelihood of an A350 XWB visit in Paris next week, Airbus said the plane will be too busy carrying out flight tests to attend. However industry experts said there's an outside chance it may still be spotted in the skies at the airshow.
Airbus A350 takes to the skies —
As for the likelihood of an A350 XWB visit in Paris next week, Airbus said the plane will be too busy carrying out flight tests to attend. However industry experts said there's an outside chance it may still be spotted in the skies at the airshow.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images