Airbus A350-1000 Gains Ground Over Delayed Boeing 777-9

Boeing's 777-9 faces stiff competition from Airbus's A350-1000 in the widebody aircraft market. Despite being delayed until 2027, the 777-9 will enter service years after its competitor, which has been flying since 2018.

The 777-9 offers a capacity of 375-450 seats and a range of 8,000 nautical miles, powered by GE9X engines. Its 71.75-meter wingspan can fold to fit gates. In contrast, the A350-1000 has 350-410 seats, reaches 8,700 nautical miles, and uses composite materials for lighter weight and lower fuel burn.

Boeing has logged 4,800 test hours but remains uncertified as of mid-2026. Airbus has already delivered 114 A350-1000s with 367 orders. Lufthansa is the launch customer for the 777-9, which must clear final FAA/EASA tests before delivery can begin.