Exclusive: A first look at the new Airbus A350 XWB

The Airbus A350 XWB stands as Airbus’ flagship wide-body jet, rivaling Boeing’s Dreamliner in innovation and passenger comfort. With both SAS and Finnair integrating the A350 into their long-haul fleets, BusinessClass.co.uk was granted privileged access to explore the aircraft firsthand with Airbus’ expert guides.

Currently, Airbus is conducting an extensive demonstration and validation campaign for the A350 XWB, merging international showcase flights with rigorous operational testing. This initiative allows Airbus to fine-tune the aircraft’s performance across a spectrum of climates and continents, ensuring that any operational quirks are addressed before widespread commercial deployment.

The journey commenced in Toulouse, with the aircraft making appearances in Johannesburg, Singapore, Sydney, and Sao Paulo, before a grand arrival in Helsinki—marked by a ceremonial water salute. Finnair proudly became Europe's inaugural carrier to operate the A350, while Qatar Airways took delivery of the world’s first A350 for commercial service. SAS now features the A350 across key intercontinental routes, reflecting the aircraft’s growing presence among top-tier airlines.

The A350 XWB receives a celebratory water salute upon its Helsinki debut

The full designation, A350 XWB, highlights its ‘Extra Wide Body’ design—a key differentiator in the premium long-haul market. Unlike most aircraft offering eight seats per row in economy, the A350 typically features a nine-abreast arrangement without sacrificing personal space or seat width, thanks to its expansive fuselage.

Visually, the A350 shares some aesthetic cues with the Boeing 787, but its broader, more robust profile is unmistakable. Airbus’ data confirms the A350 surpasses its competitors in both height and width, enhancing both comfort and operational efficiency.

The A350 XWB’s signature ‘sharklets’—elegantly curved wingtips—are engineered to reduce drag and optimize fuel efficiency. These wingtip devices distinguish the A350 from Boeing’s winglets, offering a seamless, aerodynamic appearance that’s both functional and visually striking.

The A350 XWB family comes in three variants: the A350-800, A350-900, and A350-1000. Standard two-class configurations accommodate approximately 276, 315, and 369 passengers, respectively, allowing airlines to tailor the aircraft to their network needs.

Much of the A350 XWB’s fuselage is crafted from advanced composite materials, complemented by titanium and aluminum. This sophisticated mix reduces overall weight, boosts structural integrity, and delivers significant fuel savings. According to Airbus, the A350 XWB achieves up to 25% better fuel efficiency than the Boeing 777, and surpasses the 787 Dreamliner by approximately 6% in fuel economy—an impressive feat in the current sustainability-focused era.

Passengers immediately notice the aircraft’s remarkably quiet cabin, a result of state-of-the-art engine technology and sound insulation. During our flights, the tranquility mirrored that of the Airbus A380, setting a new benchmark for serene long-haul travel.

Stepping into the A350 XWB, travelers are greeted by a contemporary cabin ambiance—sleek, airy, and intuitively designed for maximum comfort. While the general aesthetic is reminiscent of the A380, Airbus has introduced subtle refinements to optimize space and elevate the passenger experience.

Each airline configures its A350 cabins with bespoke seating and finishes. For example, SAS has selected Thompson Aero’s business class suites, while Finnair opts for Zodiac’s award-winning designs. During our tour, we explored Airbus’ test aircraft, which featured prototype seating and flexible layouts to accommodate various airline needs.

The A350’s foundational technology, including its in-flight entertainment infrastructure, is provided by Airbus. The demonstration aircraft showcased a robust entertainment system, complete with interactive flight maps and three external cameras—two mounted in the cockpit, one atop the tail—for immersive views throughout the journey.

Advanced dynamic LED lighting transforms the cabin atmosphere, supporting circadian rhythms and reducing jet lag. Finnair, for example, has integrated its ‘Space Alive’ lighting concept, leveraging the A350’s capabilities to create soothing and dramatic in-flight environments.

Frequent travelers will appreciate the newly engineered overhead bins, which are now nearly cuboid in shape and offer generous capacity for multiple standard carry-ons. These redesigned bins make boarding and deplaning noticeably smoother, especially in full cabins.

Spacious hand luggage compartments

Another noteworthy innovation is the integration of digital signage throughout the cabin ceiling. Traditional illuminated seatbelt signs have been replaced with modern electronic displays, delivering clearer messages and streamlining maintenance. Airbus representatives highlighted that these customizable screens allow airlines to personalize cabin notifications and branding as desired.

Ceiling-mounted electronic displays

It’s important to note that the seating shown in these images represents Airbus’ prototype configurations—the actual interiors for SAS, Finnair, and Qatar Airways will reflect each airline’s individual branding and comfort standards. During our visit, test equipment filled the cabin, including a central table in economy fitted with flight monitoring instruments typically reserved for the cockpit. This allowed Airbus engineers to collect real-time data and validate key performance metrics throughout test flights.

Finnair leads Europe in A350 operations

Finnair and Finavia host the A350’s Helsinki celebration

Economy class cabin overview

Business class cabin highlights

Innovative cabin lighting displays

State-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system

Contemporary lavatory facilities

Premium galley area in business class

Advanced cockpit layout

Centralized test instrumentation table