Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes shape

Airbus has begun final assembly of the first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines at its facilities in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is the first of 70 A350 XWBs ordered by the airline and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016. The A350 XWB will form a major part of the future Singapore Airlines fleet and will be operated on the carrier’s medium and long-haul routes.

The aircraft is now in the initial fuselage section joining phase. Following this, it will move in before the end of the month to the next assembly station for wing junction, start of cabin installation and first power-on.

The A350 XWB is made of 70 percent advanced materials, including 53 percent composites, and incorporates the latest innovations, providing extra efficiency for airlines.

In particular, the wings have been designed to adapt during the flight, morphing while airborne, changing their shape for maximum aerodynamic efficiency throughout the various phases of flight. This contributes to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared to previous generation competing aircraft.

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus widebody product line. Offering customers a game-changing reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB has carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger comfort, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

By the end of April 2015, the A350 XWB has won 780 orders from 40 customers worldwide.

Airbus