Key Points:

  • Airbus's A350-1000 has had its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) adjusted to 322t, as shown in recent regulatory documents.

  • The raised MTOW allows the aircraft to carry a larger payload over an extended range.

  • The 319t variant of the A350-1000 was previously presented to Qantas for their 'Project Sunrise' long-haul services, while also being the declared weight for Airbus's new A350 freighter.


TOULOUSE — Recent regulatory documentation hints at Airbus's move to amplify the maximum take-off weight of its A350-1000 model to 322t. While the aerospace manufacturer's official documentation previously listed the MTOW of the highest weight variant of the -1000 at 319t, updated data from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as of 25 October now points to a take-off weight of 322t.

Regulatory Adjustments Suggest Enhanced Payload Capacity for A350-1000

An increased MTOW effectively equips the aircraft with the capacity to carry more payload across longer distances. Despite this alteration in take-off weight, EASA retains the original maximum landing and maximum zero-fuel weights at 236t and 223t, respectively.

Airbus Positions A350-1000 for Extended Range with Higher Weight Limit

In a bid to cater to international long-haul routes, Airbus had pitched its 319t variant of the A350-1000 to Qantas for its ambitious 'Project Sunrise.' This endeavor aims to offer direct flights from London and New York to Australia. Moreover, this weight benchmark also aligns with the maximum take-off weight declared for Airbus's forthcoming A350 freighter model, reflecting the company's strategic positioning of the -1000 airframe to support an array of operations.