Airbus A350-1000

In 2011, Airbus redesigned the A350-1000 with higher weights and a more powerful engine variant to provide more range for trans-Pacific operations. This boosted its appeal to Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, who were committed to purchase 20 Boeing 777-9s, and to United Airlines, which was considering Boeing 777-300ERs to replace its 747-400s.[104] Emirates was disappointed with the changes and cancelled its order for 50 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, instead of changing the whole order to the larger variant.[104]

Assembly of the first fuselage major components started in September 2015.[105] In February 2016, final assembly started at the A350 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse. Three flight test aircraft were planned, with entry into service scheduled for mid-2017.[106] The first aircraft completed its body join on 15 April 2016.[107] Its maiden flight took place on 24 November 2016.[88]

The A350-1000 flight test programme planned for 1,600 flight hours; 600 hours on the first aircraft, MSN59, for the flight envelope, systems and powerplant checks; 500 hours on MSN71 for cold and warm campaigns, landing gear checks and high-altitude tests; and 500 hours on MSN65 for route proving and ETOPS assessment, with an interior layout for cabin development and certification.[108] In cruise at Mach 0.854 (911.9 km/h; 492.4 kn) and 35,000 ft, its fuel flow at 259 t (571,000 lb) is 6.8 t (15,000 lb) per hour within a 5,400 nautical miles (10,000 km), 11 1/2 hours early long test flight.[109] Flight tests allowed raising the MTOW from 308 to 316 t (679,000 to 697,000 lb), the 8 t (18,000 lb) increase giving 450 nmi (830 km) more range.[110] Airbus then completed functional and reliability testing.[111]

Type Certification was awarded by EASA on 21 November 2017,[112] along FAA certification. The first serial unit was on the final assembly line in early December.[113] After its maiden flight on 7 December 2017, delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways slipped to early 2018.[114] The delay was due to issues with the business class seat installation.[115] It was delivered on 20 February 2018[116] and entered commercial service on Qatar Airways' Doha to London Heathrow route on 24 February 2018.[117]