Airbus will utilise next-generation manufacturing and assembly techniques for the A350 XWB, ensuring that its airframe is optimized in terms of weight, maintenance and operating costs.

Composites, titanium and aluminium / aluminium-alloys are applied extensively on the A350 XWB’s fuselage, with their use tailored to the best characteristics of these materials. The higher percentage of composites reduces the need for fatigue-related inspections required on more traditional aluminium jetliners. The composites and titanium also diminish the requirement for corrosion-related maintenance checks on the A350 XWB. These two factors reduce the new aircraft’s overall fatigue and corrosion maintenance tasks by 60 per cent. Finally, aluminium / aluminium-alloys contribute electrical continuity within the Electrical Structure Network.

Construction of the A350 XWB’s fuselage sections is made by assembling four-skin panel sections – two lateral side panels, one at the crown, and another for the belly – onto carbon fiber frames . In contrast to other composite aircraft, the construction technique allows for a tailoring of composite layup thickness to each panel, based on calculations of local fuselage stresses and loads.

The A350 XWB’s optimized cross-section provides a maximum 220-inch cabin width, affording five additional inches at the shoulder and armrest levels than its competitor –enhancing passenger comfort and increasing the revenue potential. Economy cabin seating is baselined at nine-abreast – with ability to go to 10-abreast, while the widest windows in the industry ensure an extra-bright cabin and excellent angle of vision for A350 XWB passengers.