Airbus has confirmed that it is once again studying a stretched version of the A350 family. The comments came from Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer in an interview with Reuters, following renewed interest from Emirates in high-capacity twin-engine aircraft during the Dubai Airshow.
The statement also followed Boeing’s announcement that it is evaluating an extended variant of the 777X family. On the first day of the airshow, Boeing revealed a major sale of 65 units of the current largest 777X model to Emirates.
Airbus previously explored the idea of expanding the A350 lineup to compete with Boeing’s roughly 400-seat 777-9. Industry sources say the concept was internally associated with the “A350-2000” name, while Boeing was considering a 777-10X variant.
“Our customers, as part of their long-term growth plans, want us to look at a stretched version of the A350, and we are evaluating it,” Scherer said.
A350-1000 Enhancements Continue
The study for a larger A350 comes as Airbus continues improvement work on the A350-1000, particularly due to accelerated engine wear in harsh Gulf operating conditions.
Airbus was unable to secure an A350-1000 order from Emirates at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. Emirates had cited concerns over the maintenance performance of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine and instead opted for the A350-900. Rolls-Royce is currently investing in upgrades for the XWB-97.
“We are satisfied with the commercial performance of the -1000, and we have not given up on Emirates,” Scherer said. “They asked us to demonstrate the performance improvements of the updated engine, and we are about to do that.”
Airbus–Boeing Rivalry Reignites
The renewed interest in high-capacity twin-engine jets is once again intensifying the long-standing rivalry between Airbus and Boeing. Boeing first launched the 777X program at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, securing massive orders from Gulf carriers, but the program has since been marred by significant delays.
Airbus’s largest twin-engine jet, the A350-1000, seats just over 350 passengers—smaller but lighter and newer in design compared to the 777-9. Boeing, meanwhile, claims that the GE9X engines and composite folding wingtips will give the 777X the best economics in its class.
Airbus counters that Boeing’s advantage is largely tied to the extra 40 seats, while the A350’s lighter structure inherently reduces operating costs. Scherer added that the A350’s advanced carbon-fiber fuselage technology would deliver even greater efficiency in a larger stretched model.
Experts say engine power will be the defining factor in this segment. Aviation analyst Rob Morris noted, “The potential thrust capability of the GE9X may be higher than that of the XWB. Engines today are assessed far more comprehensively than they were in 2016.”
