Qatar Airways has converted its existing order for 20 A350-800s, 40 -900s and 20 -1000s to 43 A35-900s and 37 high capacity A350-1000s.
The airline’s CEO Akbar AL Baker said: “We have taken the time necessary to come to today’s decision in favour of the larger A350 XWB models which we believe are best suited to our business model.”
Qatar Airways has been involved in the development of the A350 series since design work started on the aircraft.
The A350 promises a 20 per cent fuel saving over existing models in its class, and the growing commitments to the larger A350-1000 highlights the impetus for Boeing to develop further its 777X concept. (Read about this in the January/February issue of Australian Aviation, on sale January 2.)