Airbus is actively exploring the development of a stretched version of its A350 widebody aircraft, tentatively called the A350-2000. This move is a direct response to customer feedback, particularly from major long-haul carriers like Emirates, who are seeking larger capacity aircraft. Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s commercial aircraft division, confirmed that airlines are pushing for this stretch, viewing it as a potential solution for growth. The larger A350 would directly challenge Boeing's 777X family, specifically the 777-9, which typically seats 400-425 passengers. The current A350-1000 accommodates between 350 and 410 passengers, so a stretched variant would aim to match or exceed the 777-9's capacity, intensifying competition in the market for 400+ seat jets.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has expressed significant interest in a larger A350, suggesting a potential order of 35 to 50 aircraft. This interest, however, is conditional on engine performance, especially in challenging environments like the Middle East. Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the Trent XWB-97 engines for the A350, is investing over $1 billion in upgrades to enhance durability and performance, including more sand-resistant coatings and advanced materials. This investment aims to address reliability issues noted by Emirates, who stated the current Rolls engine "does not have the capabilities under our conditions." Boeing is also rumored to be studying a further stretch of its 777X, tentatively dubbed the 777-10X, which could carry up to approximately 450 passengers, positioning it to fill the gap left by the eventual retirement of the Airbus A380.
Both Airbus and Boeing are responding to a market trend where airlines, facing airport constraints and projected air traffic growth, are increasingly looking for higher-capacity aircraft. The potential replacement market for 350+ seat jets could be up to 1,000 aircraft over the next 15 years. While a larger A350 or 777-10X would not be a superjumbo in the same league as the A380 (which seats over 600), it would offer significantly more capacity than the current generation of smaller widebodies like the 787 and A350. The Rolls-Royce engine testing for the upgraded Trent XWB-97 is now slated to begin in 2029, a delay from the previously planned 2027.
