Looking at the fleets of the United States ‘Big Three’ legacy carriers, one aircraft remains missing: the Airbus A350-1000. However, this won’t be the case for long. Currently, Delta Air Lines, based out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), is the only airline in the United States, and North America for that matter, to operate the Airbus A350 family of aircraft, albeit the A350-900 model.

Both Delta and United Airlines have their sights set on the A350 family, with DL operating the A350-900 already, and United on the European manufacturer’s order book for 45 examples of the type. Delta will also later become the first operator in North America of the A350-1000, with deliveries expected to begin at some stage in 2026.

Key Characteristics Of The A350-1000

The A350-1000 is a stretched version of the A350-900, clocking in at 23 feet (7 meters) longer than the -900. This allows the aircraft to carry (in a standard layout), on average, 40 additional passengers. This extra capacity is a key attraction for many airlines, which look to deploy these game-changing aircraft on high-demand routes, improving yield without compromising on operating frequency.

The A350-1000 is powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, which provide more power and thrust than the XWB-84 (Airbus A350-900 engines). The XWB-97 provides up to 97,000 pounds of thrust, which allows the plane to climb efficiently, even when fully loaded. While the A350-900 has a longer range (8,100 nautical miles) than the A350-1000 (7,970 nautical miles), the benefit of the larger aircraft is that it has improved passenger and cargo capacity.

Various global airlines have utilized the capabilities of the A350-1000 to be deployed on popular, high-demand routes, like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways from their respective hubs to other major international destinations. For example, BA flies the type from London to New York, and Qatar Airways uses it on flights from Doha to Miami and San Francisco.

Delta Will Soon Take Flight With The A350-1000

SkyTeammember Delta Air Lines will become the first North American carrier to operate the Airbus A350-1000 next year, as the airline powers towards improved sustainability goals and improved returns on key trunk international routes. The airline announced the move in January last year, with an order of 20 of the fuel-efficient aircraft, with options for 20 more. According to ch-aviation, the American carrier already operates 38 units of the Airbus A350-900, with six more expected.

The arrival of the A350-1000 for Delta will see the type become the largest aircraft within the airline’s extensive list of Airbus family jets. The carrier already operates the Airbus A220-100, A220-300, A319-100, A320-200, A321-200, A321neo, A330-200, A330-300, A330-900, and Airbus A350-900. Delta also operates two widebody Boeing types, namely the 767-300ER and 767-400ER, although the 767-300ER aircraft are expected to be retired by the end of this decade.

Ed Bastian, Delta’s Chief Executive Officer, says that the introduction of the A350-1000 is an “important step forward for our international expansion”, allowing the airline to offer more premium seats, improved onboard amenities, and expanded cargo opportunities. These aircraft are expected to be deployed on the carrier’s long-haul routes, from its main international hubs. These jets will replace other aging planes in the airline’s fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft.

The Airbus A350-1000 Is Absent From American Or United Airlines

Notably, the Airbus A350-1000 remains absent from either the American or United Airlines fleet or order books. For Fort Worth-based American Airlines, the oneworld carrier remains committed to operating an all-Boeing widebody fleet (for now), with four differing widebody aircraft types in operation. Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 47 Boeing 777-200ER, 20 777-300ER, 37 787-8 and 26 787-9 jets.

One of the world’s largest and most recognisable airlines is expected to continue deliveries of the 787-9 throughout 2025 and beyond, and remains the world’s largest operator of the 787-8. Not all love is lost between American and Airbus, with the carrier being the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A319-100 and A321-200, and having an existing order for 96 additional Airbus A321neo and 50 Airbus A321XLRaircraft.

Currently, for United Airlines, the carrier’s widebody fleet is made up of all Boeing aircraft, with a mix of the Boeing 767-300, 767-400ER (both expected to be replaced with the 787), 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 jets. The airline’s aging 777-200ER jets are expected to be replaced by both the A350-900 (international configuration), and 787 (domestic configuration).

United’s deliveries have been pushed back for the arrival of the A350-900 until 2030. Other aircraft remaining on order for the Chicago-based carrier include over 250 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (from the larger 9 and 10 variants) and 143 787 Dreamliners.

Airlines In General Are More Interested In The A350-900

Airlines are flocking to the A350-900 due to its improved range and suitability for route demands. While the A350-1000 is perfect on routes needing higher capacity, the capabilities of the A350-900 provide a wider range of versatility for airlines around the globe. The A350-900 is a long-haul workhorse, and perfect for thin routes to ultra-long-haul destinations. This makes it suitable for many airline needs, and is generally more economical to lease / purchase and subsequently operate.

Both the A350-900 and -1000 have a common pilot type rating, making it easier for airlines to operate both types of aircraft, and both jets have a similar maintenance program, which simplifies operations for airlines. The -900 has quickly captured a higher percentage of the A350 market, with its capabilities aligning perfectly with many airline requirements. January 2015 saw the introduction of the first A350 into service, with Qatar Airways being both the launch customer for the -900 and -1000 variants.

The A350 has surpassed more than 1,000 orders across the family as a whole, and Turkish Airlines is the largest on the books with more than 110 on order. Delta already operates the A350, and continues to be the sole operator of the type in North America, with United Airlines being the only other North American carrier ordering the A350.

Other North American widebody operators, such as Aeromexico and WestJet, solely operate Boeing widebody aircraft, and Canadian flag carrier Air Canada operates the Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787. Meanwhile, Montreal-based Air Transat only flies A330 airplanes as far as its widebody operations are concerned.

Other Notable Operators Of The Airbus A350

According to ch-aviation, 643 A350 aircraft are currently flying, with these jets serving more than 40 operators around the world. The largest operators are Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Air China, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines.

Singapore Airlines, which operates 65 A350-900 aircraft, includes seven specially designed A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range) aircraft, which are specifically capable of flying the airline’s direct Singapore to New York (JFK) and Newark (EWR) flights.

With 20 A350-1000 jets destined for Delta, other notable international carriers that already operate the extended type include Qatar Airways (with 24 in operation, being the current largest operator), British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Caraibes Atlantique, Ethiopian Airlines, and French bee.

Airlines still awaiting delivery for the A350-1000 include Korean Air, Air India, Riyadh Air, Qantas, Delta, EVA Air, Starlux Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, China Airlines, Lufthansa, and Philippine Airlines. Starlux has just ordered ten additional aircraft to add to its current order of 30 A350F and A350-1000. The Taiwanese carrier plans to use these aircraft to continue its expansion across key international markets to which it already flies.

What’s Next For The Airbus A350-1000?

Airbus has responded to increased demand for premium travel experiences, with the planemaker revealing new concepts for an improved first class cabin for the A350-1000. A master suite, which has been conceived by the Airbus design team, has been suggested as a suite located between two aisles that can accommodate two passengers with a dedicated toilet, bar, double bed, and changing area. This design would be in a 1-1-1 layout.

Other horizons for the A350-1000 include Qantas’ long-awaited ‘Project Sunrise’. This will see the carrier aim to fly non-stop from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to New York and London. Both Boeing and Airbus submitted proposals to the carrier back in 2019, with Qantas formally placing an order for 12 A350-1000 on May 22, 2022. The airline had initially hoped to commence these direct flights by late 2025, but now, however, it is now expected to launch these iconic flights near the end of 2026.

The up and coming Riyadh Air, which will become the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, will welcome up to 25 A350-1000 aircraft to become part of the airline’s new long-haul fleet. Alongside the A321neo and 787-9, the carrier will operate from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to serve over 100 destinations across six continents.