Air International 2006-12
M.English - Airbus A350 - What The Customer Want /Commercial/
By incorporating the basic instrument layout of the A380, the A350 will require minimal cross-crew qualification training, yet will have the same type rating as the A330.
In response to airlines requesting an increase in the cabin width over that of the original A350. Airbus now offers a more spacious nine-abreast configuration. Although not all airlines may opt for this, it will provide a good economical option should yields reduce in the future as many analysts forecast.
A notable design feature of the A350XWB is the sharply tapered aft fuselage, allowing a constant width cabin with an attendant increase in width at the rear. However, this has necessitated an extension of the fuselage, aft of the pressure bulkhead to the tailcone, by 4ft 11in more than a 'traditional' design. The definitive external configuration will be determined during windtunnel testing, scheduled to begin next March.