Airbus A350 XWB ULR (Ultra Long Range) on the first flight
The first Airbus A350 XWB ULR (Ultra Long Range), MSN 216, successfully completed the first flight. The new member of the A350 XWB aircraft family will have the highest flight range of all commercial aircraft and will enter into operational service alongside Singapore Airlines.
15 years ago, the discussions were focused on the most spacious aircraft, which resulted in the Airbus A380. A double-deck aircraft that can carry up to 800 passengers in one class.
Airbus A350-900 ULR (Ultra Long Range)
But from then until now, the airlines have focused on airplanes with the highest autonomous flight, 2 engines and average transport capacity. Thus, the major aircraft manufacturers focused and developed the new aircraft variants of the A330neo, A350 XWB, Boeing 777X, Boeing 787 families.
At the request of Singapore Airlines, Airbus has developed the A350-900 ULR (Ultra Long Range), which will be able to operate flights of up to 17 kilometers without a stopover. Thus, the Singapore carrier will be able to resume flights on the longest routes: Singapore - New York and Singapore - Los Angeles.
A350 XWB ULR on the first flight
The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Today, the first A350 XWB ULR (Ultra Long Range) successfully operated the inaugural flight. It is part of a test program to certify changes to the A350-900 standard.
The new A350-900ULR comes with a modified fuel system, which increases the 24.000 load capacity of liters, but without the need for additional fuel tanks.
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 280 tonnes, the A350 XWB Ultra Long Range is capable of flying over 20 non-stop hours, combining the highest standards of comfort for passenger and crew with unbeatable economy for such distances. .
Singapore Airlines has ordered seven A350-900 Ultra Long Range aircraft, which will be used on direct flights between Singapore and the US, including the world's longest commercial route between Singapore and New York.
About the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft family I wrote dozens of articles, I even flew aboard an A350-900 Lufthansa.
At the end of March 2018, Airbus had orders for 854 of A350 XWB aircraft, orders registered from 45 from customers around the world.
Singapore Airlines is one of the largest customers of the A350 XWB family, ordering a total of 67 A350-900, including the seven units. A350-900 Ultra Long Range. Singapore Airlines has already received 21 x A350-900. Following this year will enter the operational service and the first A350 XWB Ultra Long Range.