With the production of the A380 ceasing, the A350-1000 is shaping up as the successor to the Boeing 747. Qantas, one of the main target customers for the 777-8X, already went with Airbus. The existing A350-1000 has a maximum operating range of 14,800 kilometers and can seat between 350 - 410 passengers (depending on configuration). Australian airline Qantas says it wants to introduce nonstop flights between Sydney and London and will choose between the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350-900 to fly this ultra-long-haul route. Emirates orders for the Boeing 777X fell to 115 from 150 units. The Airbus A350-1000ULR is not the first aircraft to undergo this transformation. On its part, Airbus proposed modifying its existing A350-1000 aircraft into an ultra-long-range airliner to meet QF’s range requirements. And the A350-1000 is generally well regarded by passengers. Boeing joined the race with their brand-new Boeing 777X family, which is still going through its certification process.

Some airlines have started to introduce the A350-1000 onto their Australian routes, but this will be the first time the aircraft has been operated by an Australian airline. Further, Airbus will add an additional fuel tank and slightly increase the maximum takeoff weight to deliver the performance required for these ultra long haul routes. In a statement, Qantas says that after careful consideration of both the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350-1000, the latter impressed with its Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, which has a strong reliability record after being in service with airlines for more than two years.

Just last month, Qantas told both Airbus and Boeing their Project Sunrise offers needed more work, citing issues with price, conditions, and guarantees.

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