Airbus - A350-800
The A350-800 will be the second and smallest version of the new Airbus family when it enters service in mid-2014. As Airbus SAS works to refine the shape and structure of the A350 XWB, it is currently working on a "four-shell concept", which uses four composite sections of differing thicknesses which are joined together by lap-joints. The manufacturer is considering offering up to 10-abreast seating. The anticipated composition of the A350 XWB structure has been set at 52% (by weight) carbon fibre, 20% aluminium, 7% steel, and 7% other materials. Launch customer, with an order for thirty A350-800 on 16 October 2005, was US Airways. This order was converted to A350XWB-800s in June 2007. In June 2008 the MTOW's of all three A350 XWB variants were raised by 3 tonnes so as to ensure that the aircraft can achieve its payload/range targets.
