Airbus debuts new A350 cabin that seats 10 people a row to compete with Boeing's new flagship 777X — look inside

Taylor RainsNov 1, 2022, 03:19 IST

Airbus A350-1000.Bryan Van Der Beek/Airbus

Airbus unveiled a new A350 cabin configuration that would allow for 10 seats per row instead of the typical nine.
The new layout would increase passenger capacity by an average of 30 seats on the A350 variants.

Airbus just unveiled an all-new cabin configuration for its A350 widebody jet with the goal to offer airlines more revenue opportunities and better efficiency.

Airbus A350-1000.Bryan Van Der Beek/Airbus

On Wednesday, the European planemaker announced a 10-abreast seating layout for its A350 variants, including the -900 and -1000, made possible by adding four inches of space to the cabin width by carving out the sidewalls.

Airbus' 10-abreast seat layout.Airbus

On Wednesday, the European planemaker announced a 10-abreast seating layout for its A350 variants, including the -900 and -1000, made possible by adding four inches of space to the cabin width by carving out the sidewalls.

The move is part of the manufacturer's New Production Standard launched at the end of September, which also improves performance and reduces weight.

Specs of the enhancements on the A350.Airbus

With the added space, 10 seats can fit across instead of the standard nine, increasing capacity by a total of 27 seats on the -900 and 34 seats on the -1000 in a three-class layout, Airbus told Insider.

Airbus

With the added space, 10 seats can fit across instead of the standard nine, increasing capacity by a total of 27 seats on the -900 and 34 seats on the -1000 in a three-class layout, Airbus told Insider.

This brings the total A350-1000 passenger capacity to 410 in a typical three-class layout. The Boeing 777X, by comparison, can accommodate up to 406 people, per Reuters.

Boeing 777X Flight Test 1 aircraft at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

This brings the total A350-1000 passenger capacity to 410 in a typical three-class layout. The Boeing 777X, by comparison, can accommodate up to 406 people, per Reuters.

The 777X’s capacity is a big selling point for Boeing, but Airbus’ new configuration now better matches the American manufacturer’s flagship jet.

Airbus A350.S. Ramadier/Airbus

The 777-8 and 777-9 will still offer up to 384 and 426 passengers in two classes, respectively, and the 777X fuselage is overall wider than the A350.

Mockup of Boeing's 777X cabin.Boeing

Boeing maintained its 777X is still more comfortable: "Today's 777 offers a wider cabin than the competition, and the new 777X cabin is even more spacious, providing the widest and most comfortable cabin in its class," a spokesperson told Insider.

Boeing 777X flying display at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

Boeing maintained its 777X is still more comfortable: "Today's 777 offers a wider cabin than the competition, and the new 777X cabin is even more spacious, providing the widest and most comfortable cabin in its class," a spokesperson told Insider.

Airbus' A350 can actually already accommodate 10-abreast rows in a high-density configuration, which is used by only a few airlines, like no-frills carrier French bee, but it's a tight squeeze.

Ten seats abreast on French bee's A350.Taylor Rains/Insider

Airbus' A350 can actually already accommodate 10-abreast rows in a high-density configuration, which is used by only a few airlines, like no-frills carrier French bee, but it's a tight squeeze.

According to French bee, its A350-900 economy section offers 16 inches of width. Meanwhile, its sister company Air Caraibes offers 16.8 inches, per SeatGuru.

French bee and Air Caraibes A350s.P. Pigeyre/Airbus

While customers are booking the narrow seats, they are still below the industry standard width of 17 inches, and analysts and airlines have criticized the planemaker's narrow option.

French bee 10-abreast A350.Taylor Rains/Insider

While customers are booking the narrow seats, they are still below the industry standard width of 17 inches, and analysts and airlines have criticized the planemaker's narrow option.

This is especially after, in 2013, Airbus actually said 18 inches should be the standard after Boeing introduced 17-inch-wide seats on its 787.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner.AP

For context, the A350's typical 3-3-3 layout has historically offered 18-inch-wide economy seats and competes with the 787.

An A350 economy cabin in a 3-3-3 layout.M Radzi Desa/Airliners.net

However, backtracking on their 2013 comments, Airbus' new layout will allow all ten seats to have the full 17-inch width, saying it "transforms the passenger comfort of [the] previous 3-4-3 arrangement."

Airbus' 10-abreast seat layout.Airbus

However, backtracking on their 2013 comments, Airbus' new layout will allow all ten seats to have the full 17-inch width, saying it "transforms the passenger comfort of [the] previous 3-4-3 arrangement."

This is still less than what the current Boeing 777 can offer though, which already regularly accommodates 10-abreast seats and is another major competitor to the A350

Ryken Martin/Shutterstock

Air New Zealand, for example, equips its 777-200ERs with 17.8-inch-wide economy seats, while it's 777-300s offer 17.1 inches, per SeatGuru.

Air New Zealand 777-300ER economy cabin.Phillip Capper

Airbus' new cabin has several additional benefits besides offering 10-abreast seats, including widening the typical 3-3-3 economy layout from 18 inches to 18.7 inches…

Iberia was the recipient of Airbus' 500th A350 delivered. It opted for nine seats abreast instead of 10.Herve Gousse/Airbus

Airbus' new cabin has several additional benefits besides offering 10-abreast seats, including widening the typical 3-3-3 economy layout from 18 inches to 18.7 inches…

…and increasing premium economy seat width to 19 inches, as well as adding more aisle and center console space.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB premium economy.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The company told the Runway Girl Network in September that the planemaker is working to also utilize the extra four inches to improve business class comfort.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines' Airbus A350-900 XWB business class.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Moreover, repositioning the cockpit wall and bulkhead has allowed Airbus to add more space to its forward galley, and create an extra large galley in the back of the plane.

Extra large galley on Airbus A350.Airbus

Moreover, repositioning the cockpit wall and bulkhead has allowed Airbus to add more space to its forward galley, and create an extra large galley in the back of the plane.

While these changes seem like a big move from Airbus, Richard Aboulafia, the managing director of consulting company AeroDynamic Advisory, told Insider it's too little, too late.

Lufthansa Airbus A350-900.Joel Serre/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus

While these changes seem like a big move from Airbus, Richard Aboulafia, the managing director of consulting company AeroDynamic Advisory, told Insider it's too little, too late.

"Density is always welcome, especially at a time of high fuel prices," he said. "But, this was probably better done about six or seven years ago."

Diagram of new A350 cabin layout.Airbus

He said this move is not a game-changer, and the reason is twofold: First, the widebody market is shrinking, especially with the rise in popularity of long-haul narrowbodies, like the Airbus A321neo…

JetBlue Airways' first Airbus A321neoLR.JetBlue Airways and Airbus

He said this move is not a game-changer, and the reason is twofold: First, the widebody market is shrinking, especially with the rise in popularity of long-haul narrowbodies, like the Airbus A321neo…

…and the Boeing 737 MAX families. These aircraft are starting to see more long-haul travel, particularly across the Atlantic.

Taylor Rains/Insider

In the first nine months of 2022, Airbus delivered 374 narrowbodies, including A220 and A320 family jets, accounting for about 86% of the 437 total deliveries.

Delta Air Lines

By comparison, only 63 widebody planes, including A330s and A350s, were delivered as of September 30, 2022. But, the market isn't the only issue.

Emirates A330.InsectWorld/Shutterstock

"The second closely related problem is the widebody market that remains really doesn't care about the back of the cabin," Aboulafia said.

ITA Airways A350 at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

He explained to Insider that Airbus' new economy configuration could benefit profit margins, noting United Airlines may see it useful for its -900s on order, but said the money "is always made in the front."

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB business class.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

He explained to Insider that Airbus' new economy configuration could benefit profit margins, noting United Airlines may see it useful for its -900s on order, but said the money "is always made in the front."

According to Investopedia, only about 12% of airline customers are business travelers, but pre-pandemic, those passengers accounted for 75% of revenue on some flights.

ITA Airways A350 business class.Taylor Rains/Insider

"I think engine power is probably a bigger factor," Aboulafia said. Compared to the 777-9's maximum 7,285-nautical-mile-range, the A350-1000 can fly up to 8,700 nautical miles, putting it ahead of Boeing.

An Airbus A350 flying over Bogota.Airbus

"I think engine power is probably a bigger factor," Aboulafia said. Compared to the 777-9's maximum 7,285-nautical-mile-range, the A350-1000 can fly up to 8,700 nautical miles, putting it ahead of Boeing.

Boeing's 777-8 would beat out the A350-900 at maximum ranges of 8,730 and 8,300 nautical miles, respectively. Though, the A350-900ULR can fly further than any airliner at up to 9,700 nautical miles.

Boeing 777X Flight Test 1 aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show 2022.Taylor Rains/Insider

Boeing's 777-8 would beat out the A350-900 at maximum ranges of 8,730 and 8,300 nautical miles, respectively. Though, the A350-900ULR can fly further than any airliner at up to 9,700 nautical miles.

While Airbus' new cabin may not be as advantageous for mainline airlines, low-cost carriers could be a big winner: "It is roughly 11% more efficient in economy-class pricing," cabin expert John Walton told Reuters.

Low-cost carrier Air Caraibes' A350.P. Pigeyre/Airbus

While Airbus' new cabin may not be as advantageous for mainline airlines, low-cost carriers could be a big winner: "It is roughly 11% more efficient in economy-class pricing," cabin expert John Walton told Reuters.

This means budget airlines could offer even lower fares, but Aboulafia says the "moment has passed" for low-cost carriers regularly buying dual-aisle planes.

Defunct low-cost airline WOW Air flew Airbus A330 widebodies, while Norwegian Air Shuttle used to fly Boeing 787s but grounded them during the pandemic and eventually ditched them due to costs and demand.Lukas Wunderlich/Shutterstock

Over the years, budget airlines that typically pack the economy cabin to its limits have lessened their reliability on dual-aisle jets in favor of more cost-efficient single-aisles, like Iceland's PLAY.

PLAY A321neo.PLAY

Over the years, budget airlines that typically pack the economy cabin to its limits have lessened their reliability on dual-aisle jets in favor of more cost-efficient single-aisles, like Iceland's PLAY.

Nevertheless, Walton told Reuters that he believes airlines that opt for the A350 could welcome the 10-abreast layout, which would match the typical 777 configuration.

Virgin's A350-1000.Airbus

"Anyone who already has the A350 will probably go nine abreast - for now - to maintain commonality," he said. "The question is what happens later when planes start leaving the fleet."

BoeingMan777/Shutterstock

"Anyone who already has the A350 will probably go nine abreast - for now - to maintain commonality," he said. "The question is what happens later when planes start leaving the fleet."

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Airbus debuts new A350 cabin that seats 10 people a row to compete with Boeing's new flagship 777X &mdash; look inside

Airbus just unveiled an all-new cabin configuration for its A350 widebody jet with the goal to offer airlines more revenue opportunities and better efficiency.

On Wednesday, the European planemaker announced a 10-abreast seating layout for its A350 variants, including the -900 and -1000, made possible by adding four inches of space to the cabin width by carving out the sidewalls.

The move is part of the manufacturer's New Production Standard launched at the end of September, which also improves performance and reduces weight.

With the added space, 10 seats can fit across instead of the standard nine, increasing capacity by a total of 27 seats on the -900 and 34 seats on the -1000 in a three-class layout, Airbus told Insider.

This brings the total A350-1000 passenger capacity to 410 in a typical three-class layout. The Boeing 777X, by comparison, can accommodate up to 406 people, per Reuters.

The 777X’s capacity is a big selling point for Boeing, but Airbus’ new configuration now better matches the American manufacturer’s flagship jet.

The 777-8 and 777-9 will still offer up to 384 and 426 passengers in two classes, respectively, and the 777X fuselage is overall wider than the A350.

Boeing maintained its 777X is still more comfortable: "Today's 777 offers a wider cabin than the competition, and the new 777X cabin is even more spacious, providing the widest and most comfortable cabin in its class," a spokesperson told Insider.

Airbus' A350 can actually already accommodate 10-abreast rows in a high-density configuration, which is used by only a few airlines, like no-frills carrier French bee, but it's a tight squeeze.

According to French bee, its A350-900 economy section offers 16 inches of width. Meanwhile, its sister company Air Caraibes offers 16.8 inches, per SeatGuru.

While customers are booking the narrow seats, they are still below the industry standard width of 17 inches, and analysts and airlines have criticized the planemaker's narrow option.

This is especially after, in 2013, Airbus actually said 18 inches should be the standard after Boeing introduced 17-inch-wide seats on its 787.

For context, the A350's typical 3-3-3 layout has historically offered 18-inch-wide economy seats and competes with the 787.

However, backtracking on their 2013 comments, Airbus' new layout will allow all ten seats to have the full 17-inch width, saying it "transforms the passenger comfort of [the] previous 3-4-3 arrangement."

This is still less than what the current Boeing 777 can offer though, which already regularly accommodates 10-abreast seats and is another major competitor to the A350

Air New Zealand, for example, equips its 777-200ERs with 17.8-inch-wide economy seats, while it's 777-300s offer 17.1 inches, per SeatGuru.

Airbus' new cabin has several additional benefits besides offering 10-abreast seats, including widening the typical 3-3-3 economy layout from 18 inches to 18.7 inches…

…and increasing premium economy seat width to 19 inches, as well as adding more aisle and center console space.

The company told the Runway Girl Network in September that the planemaker is working to also utilize the extra four inches to improve business class comfort.

Moreover, repositioning the cockpit wall and bulkhead has allowed Airbus to add more space to its forward galley, and create an extra large galley in the back of the plane.

While these changes seem like a big move from Airbus, Richard Aboulafia, the managing director of consulting company AeroDynamic Advisory, told Insider it's too little, too late.

"Density is always welcome, especially at a time of high fuel prices," he said. "But, this was probably better done about six or seven years ago."

He said this move is not a game-changer, and the reason is twofold: First, the widebody market is shrinking, especially with the rise in popularity of long-haul narrowbodies, like the Airbus A321neo…

…and the Boeing 737 MAX families. These aircraft are starting to see more long-haul travel, particularly across the Atlantic.

In the first nine months of 2022, Airbus delivered 374 narrowbodies, including A220 and A320 family jets, accounting for about 86% of the 437 total deliveries.

By comparison, only 63 widebody planes, including A330s and A350s, were delivered as of September 30, 2022. But, the market isn't the only issue.

"The second closely related problem is the widebody market that remains really doesn't care about the back of the cabin," Aboulafia said.

He explained to Insider that Airbus' new economy configuration could benefit profit margins, noting United Airlines may see it useful for its -900s on order, but said the money "is always made in the front."

According to Investopedia, only about 12% of airline customers are business travelers, but pre-pandemic, those passengers accounted for 75% of revenue on some flights.

"I think engine power is probably a bigger factor," Aboulafia said. Compared to the 777-9's maximum 7,285-nautical-mile-range, the A350-1000 can fly up to 8,700 nautical miles, putting it ahead of Boeing.

Boeing's 777-8 would beat out the A350-900 at maximum ranges of 8,730 and 8,300 nautical miles, respectively. Though, the A350-900ULR can fly further than any airliner at up to 9,700 nautical miles.

While Airbus' new cabin may not be as advantageous for mainline airlines, low-cost carriers could be a big winner: "It is roughly 11% more efficient in economy-class pricing," cabin expert John Walton told Reuters.

This means budget airlines could offer even lower fares, but Aboulafia says the "moment has passed" for low-cost carriers regularly buying dual-aisle planes.

Over the years, budget airlines that typically pack the economy cabin to its limits have lessened their reliability on dual-aisle jets in favor of more cost-efficient single-aisles, like Iceland's PLAY.

Nevertheless, Walton told Reuters that he believes airlines that opt for the A350 could welcome the 10-abreast layout, which would match the typical 777 configuration.

"Anyone who already has the A350 will probably go nine abreast - for now - to maintain commonality," he said. "The question is what happens later when planes start leaving the fleet."

Airbus debuts new A350 cabin that seats 10 people a row to compete with Boeing's new flagship 777X — look inside