Watch the first flight video here.
This first flight marks the beginning of a test campaign totaling around 2,500 flight hours with a fleet of five development aircraft.
The rigorous flight testing will lead to the certification of the A350-900 variant by the European EASA and US FAA airworthiness authorities, prior to the aircraft's entry into service in the second half of 2014 with first operator Qatar Airways.
The A350 XWB is Airbus’ product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in three-class layouts. Compared with existing aircraft in this size category, Airbus says the A350 will use 25% less fuel.
To date the A350 XWB has already won 613 firm orders from 33 customers worldwide.
