Airbus A350 Makes Debut Passenger Flight

Airbus A350 XWB successfully completed the two “Early Long Flight” campaign in typical airline operating conditions, with airline crew a...

Airbus A350 XWB successfully completed the two “Early Long Flight” campaign in typical airline operating conditions, with airline crew and Airbus employee as passengers, using its cabin equipped MSN 002 prototype aircraft.

The flights simulated real time airline conditions and evaluated A350's performance to further fine tune the new jetliner’s cabin and passenger related systems and smoothen its service entry later this year with Qatar Airways.

Both the Early Long Flights took off and landed back in Toulouse, with first flight, a 7 hour day time flight, taking off on Monday 2nd June, while the second was a overnight flight lasting 12 hours, taking off on Tuesday 3rd June and landing back on 4th June.

The flights were operated as standard airline service consecutively by Air France and Lufthansa cabin crews.

During the flights, passengers were tasked to test the A350 XWB cabin systems, including air conditioning, lighting, acoustics, in-flight entertainment (IFE), galleys, electrics, toilets and water waste systems.
The two flights carried a total 500 passengers, comprising Airbus employees, and some 30 cabin experts from Airbus and equipment manufacturers.

So far, the four A350 flight test aircrafts has accumulated around 1900 flight test hours of the 2500 hours planned for certification in 440 flights. The fifth and last prototype MSN005, will joining the fleet in coming weeks.

The A350 XWB is on track for certification in Q3 2014, to be followed by entry into service in Q4 with Qatar Airways.