Airbus has a $260 million wide-body jet that it just can't sell. See inside the A330-800neo that's proving to be a commercial flop.

Thomas PalliniDec 26, 2021, 20:13 IST

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Airbus has only sold 15 of its A330-800neo aircraft, the next-generation variant of the popular A330-200.
Uganda Airlines, Air Greenland, Kuwait Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia are the only four airlines to purchase the aircraft.

Airbus doesn't usually have a problem selling airplanes.

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo.Thomas Pallini/Insider

As of October 2021, more than 20,000 orders have been placed for Airbus aircraft. The European aircraft manufacturers’ wide-body planes, specifically, can be found flying all over the world and are the backbone of numerous global airlines.

An Airbus A350-900 XWB at Dubai Airshow.Thomas Pallini/Insider

As of October 2021, more than 20,000 orders have been placed for Airbus aircraft. The European aircraft manufacturers’ wide-body planes, specifically, can be found flying all over the world and are the backbone of numerous global airlines.

But one aircraft just hasn't resonated with customers, the A330-800neo. Only 15 aircraft have been sold as of October 2021 since the A330neo program launched in 2014 to counter the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo.Thomas Pallini/Insider

But one aircraft just hasn't resonated with customers, the A330-800neo. Only 15 aircraft have been sold as of October 2021 since the A330neo program launched in 2014 to counter the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Airbus designed the aircraft to be a more efficient version of the A330-200 as part of an upgrade for the popular A330 family of aircraft. The A330-200, a commercial success, earned 662 orders over its life and 598 of the 647 aircraft that were delivered to customers are still flying.

An Airbus A330-200.aviation images.com/Universal Images Group/Getty

Airbus designed the aircraft to be a more efficient version of the A330-200 as part of an upgrade for the popular A330 family of aircraft. The A330-200, a commercial success, earned 662 orders over its life and 598 of the 647 aircraft that were delivered to customers are still flying.

Powering the A330neo family is the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 that Airbus says helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions by "25% compared to its previous-generation aircraft." Also aiding in its efficiency are new wings with composite winglets.

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Powering the A330neo family is the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 that Airbus says helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions by "25% compared to its previous-generation aircraft." Also aiding in its efficiency are new wings with composite winglets.

As a newer variant with more efficient engines, the A330-800neo had a good chance of riding on the success of its predecessor. But only four airlines have placed orders for the A330-800neo including Kuwait Airways, Uganda Airlines, Air Greenland, and Gaurda Indonesia, making the aircraft among Airbus' worst-selling aircraft in its history.

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo.Thomas Pallini/Insider

As a newer variant with more efficient engines, the A330-800neo had a good chance of riding on the success of its predecessor. But only four airlines have placed orders for the A330-800neo including Kuwait Airways, Uganda Airlines, Air Greenland, and Gaurda Indonesia, making the aircraft among Airbus' worst-selling aircraft in its history.