The European manufacturer delivered the landmark aircraft in August as part of accelerated production efforts to meet annual delivery targets.
Airbus delivered its 100th A350-1000 wide-body aircraft to Qatar Airways in August 2025, marking a significant milestone for the European manufacturer’s largest A350 variant seven years after the program launched.
The milestone aircraft, registration A7-AOE, departed Toulouse-Blagnac Airport at 5:38 p.m. on August 13 and arrived at Doha Hamad International Airport at 12:34 a.m. local time. The aircraft entered service five days later with a flight to Lahore and has since operated more than 60 flights across Asia and the Middle East.
Qatar Airways served as the launch customer for the A350-1000, receiving the world’s first aircraft of this variant on February 16, 2018. That initial aircraft, registered A7-ANA, has accumulated 38,876 flight hours across 4,698 flight cycles.
The Qatari flag carrier now operates 25 A350-1000s in its fleet and expects delivery of 17 additional aircraft. Each plane seats 395 passengers, with 371 in economy class offering 31 to 32 inches of pitch and 24 business class lie-flat seats providing up to 69 inches of pitch.
Growing Operator Base
Nine airlines currently operate the A350-1000, which measures 23 feet longer than the smaller A350-900 variant. Qatar Airways leads with 25 aircraft, followed by British Airways and Cathay Pacific with 18 each, Virgin Atlantic with 12, and Japan Airlines with 10.
The aircraft type has accumulated more than 1.7 million flight hours on over 220 routes, transporting nearly 60 million passengers worldwide. Airbus has received 361 total orders for the A350-1000 and delivered 101 aircraft, including the 101st to Etihad Airways on August 30.
The A350-1000 combines lightweight carbon composite construction with fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, delivering enhanced fuel and cost efficiency compared to older generation aircraft.
Production Challenges
Airbus delivered 61 aircraft across all programs in August, including seven A220s, 47 A320neos, two A330neos, and five A350s. August deliveries dropped 3% compared to the same period in 2024, intensifying pressure on the manufacturer to reach its target of approximately 820 aircraft deliveries this year.
The company has delivered 434 aircraft through August, including 386 single-aisle jets, 16 A330s, and 32 A350s. Airbus expects delivery pace to accelerate in the remaining months to meet annual targets.
Air Côte d’Ivoire became the latest A330neo customer in September, receiving the first of two aircraft on September 4. The company also secured an order for seven A350-1000s from an undisclosed customer in August.
A350 Family Performance
Across the entire A350 family, which includes the smaller A350-900, Airbus has received 1,435 orders and completed 674 deliveries. Singapore Airlines operates the largest A350-900 fleet with 58 aircraft, followed by Air France with 39, Delta Air Lines with 38, Qatar Airways with 34, and Lufthansa with 31.
The Air France-KLM group is positioned to become the largest A350 family operator when passenger and freighter aircraft orders are combined.
Qatar Airways operates 59 A350 family aircraft total, including both variants, while more than 35 operators worldwide fly A350 family aircraft in passenger service.
Key Takeaways
- Airbus delivered its 100th A350-1000 to Qatar Airways in August 2025, seven years after the program’s launch with the same carrier.
- The aircraft type has accumulated more than 1.7 million flight hours across 220 routes, transporting nearly 60 million passengers worldwide.
- Nine airlines now operate the A350-1000, with Qatar Airways leading the fleet at 25 aircraft, followed by British Airways and Cathay Pacific with 18 each.
- Airbus faces delivery pressure after August production dropped 3% year-over-year, requiring accelerated output to meet its 820-aircraft annual target.
- The manufacturer has received 361 total orders for the A350-1000 variant and delivered 101 aircraft across all operators.
