Industry Airbus shows first A350-900 ULR

The aircraft will enter service for launch customer Singapore Airlines later this year. Singapore Airlines has ordered seven A350-900 Ultra Long Range aircraft, which it will use on non-stop flights between Singapore and the US, including the world’s longest commercial service between Singapore and New York. The Asian carrier has dropped the 19-hour route in 2013 due to increasing fuel costs. On the world’s longest non-stop flight which crosses Europe Singapore Airlines has used an Airbus A340-500 which has been retired in 2013. The new Airbus A350-900 will allow to operate the route with lower operational costs and higher comfort for the passengers.

Following completion of the airframe assembly, the first aircraft will undergo ground tests, prior to installation of its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

The aircraft will then embark on a short flight test program to certify the changes over the standard A350-900 that will bring the additional range capability.

According to Airbus, the modified A350 will have a maximum take-off weight of 280 tons and will be able to fly up to 9,7000 nautical miles (17.965 kilometers) or over 20 hours non-stop.

Airbus has received a total of 854 firm orders from 45 customers. Singapore Airlines is one of the largest customers for the A350 XWB Family, having ordered a total of 67 A350-900s, including the seven Ultra Long Range models. The carrier has already taken delivery of 21 A350-900s and plans to replace older Boeing 777-200 with the new Airbus aircraft.