Airbus A350 sets new standards in cabin design & development

Flight-test A350 XWB MSN002 unveiled its cabin interior
Airbus has unveiled the A350 XWB’s development cabin interior installed on board flight-test aircraft ‘MSN002’ at the Airbus site in Hamburg. MSN002, which made its first flight on 26th February 2014, is the first of two test aircraft fitted with a passenger interior and is part of the growing A350 XWB development fleet. Intensive cabin flight and ground tests have already been performed during a two-week stay of the aircraft in Hamburg in mid-March 2014. The cabins of all Airbus aircraft are developed by the engineering and research teams based there. The new interior demonstrates how the aircraft’s “eXtra-wide” fuselage will soon offer passengers even more personal space, flexibility and comfort in business and economy classes, and especially, a wide 18” seat in 9-abreast economy.

Chris Emerson, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Airbus said: “Passenger comfort is an increasingly important differentiator for the airline industry, becoming a fundamental deciding factor driving passenger choice and business success.” He adds: “The A350 XWB is the only aircraft in its sector to truly offer ‘comfort without compromise’, while providing airlines with unrivalled operating economics, flexibility and fuel efficiency.”

 A350 XWB MSN002 will be tasked with conducting a series of “Early Long Flights” with its cabin accommodating real passengers. ‘Hot and cold’ cabin trials will also feature in its busy test programme, which also includes validation of the advanced fourth-generation in-flight-entertainment (IFE). MSN002 will soon be joined by the second cabin-equipped A350 MSN005, which will be tasked with route-proving flights around the world to the major destinations it will serve.