Airbus A350 progress

The second A350 XWB development aircraft, MSN3, is in Bolivia where it is performing a series of tests at the high altitude airfields of Cochabamba and La Paz.  Cochabamba is around 8,300ft above sea level, and La Paz is one of the world’s highest airports at 13,300ft.

On Thursday 2 January 2014 Airbus rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test aircraft, MSN2, from the paint shop in Toulouse.   As well as featuring a distinctive “Carbon” signature livery to reflect its primary construction from advanced materials, this aircraft is also the first of two A350 flight test aircraft to be equipped with a full passenger cabin interior.

MSN2 will join the A350 XWB flight test fleet in the coming weeks and will be the first A350 to transport passengers when it undertakes the Early Long Flights (ELF) later in the year. 

Current firm orders for the A350 stand at 814 with an in-service date suggested for the fourth quarter of 2014 with launch customer Qatar Airways.  It is expected to make its major public debut for viewing at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. www.airbus.com

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