Industry First A330-800 lifts off on maiden flight

At the Farnborough Airshow 2014, Airbus announced to launch the A330Neo programme. The aircraft, which have several modifications including new efficient engines (Neo stands for New Engine Options), should offer an improved fuel burn per seat by 14% compared to the current A330Ceo.

Now, a first Airbus A330-800 set for its maiden flight. The aircraft, MSN1888, will perform the dedicated flight-physics tests required for this variant.

The A330-800’s certification development programme itself will last around 300 flight-test hours with a scheduled certification in 2019. Its sibling, the larger A330-900 family member, recently completed its development testing and certification programme which validated the A330Neo Family’s common engines, systems, cabin and flight & ground operations. The first A330-900 of launch operator TAP Air Portugal had completed its maiden flight in May 2018.

The Neo’s two versions – the A330-800 and A330-900 – will accommodate 257 and 287 passengers respectively in a three-class seating layout, are powered by the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, offer new “Airspace” cabin amenities and feature a new larger span wing with Sharklet wingtip devices.

Airbus has received over 250 firm orders from several airlines for the A330Neo Family. Hawaiian Airlines, which was originally planned as its first customer, recently cancelled its order for six A330-800s. Instead, the airline opted for a competing product and ordered ten Boeing 787-9s.