Airbus A350-1000 Completes First Flight

Airbus has completed the first test flight of its latest aircraft, the A350-1000, in Toulouse.

The test aircraft, MSN059, took off at 10:42 local time from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southern France. It landed after the successful flight at 15:00.

The 360-seat -1000 is the bigger sister to the in-service 325-seat A350-900.

The test programme, with three aircraft, is expected to last less than a year as it builds on experience gained from the A350-900, Airbus said.

It is due to enter commercial service in the second half of 2017 with Qatar Airways, which has 37 of the USD$355 million aircraft on order.

Airbus has taken 195 orders for the A350-1000 from 11 customers.

The test aircraft was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.