Airbus's answer to the Dreamliner. The A350 uses composite construction and next-generation engines to compete directly with Boeing's 787 and 777 families on long-haul routes.
✈ Scan Your Sky NowThe Airbus A350-900 is Airbus's flagship long-haul widebody, built to compete directly with the Boeing 787-9 and 777-300ER. Like the Dreamliner, it uses extensive carbon fibre composite construction — 53% by weight — for the fuselage, wings, and tail, delivering excellent fuel efficiency and durability.
The A350 family entered service with Qatar Airways in 2015 and has become a favourite with premium carriers for long-haul routes. Singapore Airlines uses it on the world's longest commercial routes, while Cathay Pacific, Finnair, and Virgin Atlantic have made it the cornerstone of their long-haul fleets. The distinctive curved wingtips and dark composite nose cone make it one of the most visually striking aircraft in the sky.
The A350 has the most distinctive nose of any commercial aircraft — the unpainted carbon fibre composite nose cone gives it a dark, slightly matte appearance at the front, unlike the painted aluminium noses of other aircraft. Look for this dark nose tip as the primary identifier.
The curved winglets sweep elegantly upward at the wingtip. The engines are Rolls-Royce Trent XWB — the only engine option — with a distinctive serrated exhaust. The aircraft has a slightly flattened underside to the fuselage, and the cockpit windows have a characteristic angled appearance. Overall it's a sleek, elegant shape in the air.