Airbus has started a series of long test flights of an A350 development aircraft fitted with a cabin and carrying passengers.
The early long flights are designed to test the aircraft’s galleys, lavatories, inflight entertainment and other passenger and cabin crew amenities and systems prior to the entry to service with Qatar Airways of the first A350 later this year. These flights are not part of the A350’s certifications process.
The aircraft – MSN002 – will operate with 250 passengers drawn from Airbus employee ranks, and about 30 cabin experts from Airbus and from various cabin equipment manufacturers.