Will the Airbus A350 XWB will match the 787 and 777?

The comparison between the A350XWB proposal and 777 / 787 is interesting, especially after spending 25 hours last week in a mix of Boeing and Airbus product. I flew to Korea on a 777–200 and back on a both Airbus A330 & A340.

The 777 is currently my favourite commercial aircraft, the fuselage diameter and seating layout making it much nicer than the 747. The Air New Zealand 777’s I’ve been on are brand new, which helps, but the Korean was an older plane. I found the A340 felt much more crampt, the smaller fuselage is noticeable, but also quieter. I had a similar seating on both planes, maybe the location/size relationship of the engines makes a difference?

It will be interesting to see how this tussle develops, different product directions and big investments mean it will be a tough fight. Both have much to gain if they get it right, everything to lose if wrong.

Airbus unveils widebody, says A350 XWB will top 787 and 777 - seattlepi.nwsource.com
LONDON -- “The new Airbus A350 will be four years behind The Boeing Co.'s 787 in getting to market, but Airbus will use that time to make its jet superior to the Dreamliner and Boeing's 777”

Airbus unveils widebody, says A350 XWB will top 787 and 777 - seattlepi.nwsource.com
LONDON -- “The new Airbus A350 will be four years behind The Boeing Co.'s 787 in getting to market, but Airbus will use that time to make its jet superior to the Dreamliner and Boeing's 777”

“That was the spin coming from Airbus on Monday as it finally unveiled details about what it is calling the A350 XWB -- extra wide body.”

“That was the spin coming from Airbus on Monday as it finally unveiled details about what it is calling the A350 XWB -- extra wide body.”