The first completed A350 XWB from Airbus, "MSN1," was unveiled at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France on May 13, 2013. "XWB" means "extra wide body."
Airbus test pilots and managers celebrated Friday after the long-awaited inaugural flight of the Airbus A350 XWB went off without a hitch.
Aviation enthusiasts around the world had their eyes on France as the aircraft took off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport around 10 a.m. local time and landed safely about four hours later.
The test crew waved an Airbus flag from a hatch above the cockpit as the aircraft taxied after its successful maiden journey.
The crew, who emerged to applause from waiting friends and family, said the aircraft proved easy to handle and performed well throughout the test program.
"After the first few minutes, it didn't feel like we were doing a first test flight," said Peter Chandler, chief test pilot for Airbus. "It was so relaxed and so predictable."
"It's a great day for all people who have a passion for aerospace," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Fabrice Bregier.
Airbus hopes to have the new aircraft fully certified for commercial flight within 12 to 13 months, he said.
"This is about going fast but never rushing, and I am very confident that after this first flight ... we will deliver this aircraft by 2014 to our first customers," he said. Airbus hopes to capture more than half the global market of 6,000 long-range aircraft over the next 20 years, he added.
"I knew it was going to be impressive, but I was blown away," Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said immediately after the A350 XWB takeoff.
"Did you hear how quiet it was? Did you hear what you didn't hear? We're going to set new standards. Not just for comfort, not just for performance. But for environmental friendliness. People living around airports won't even know we're taking off," he said to the attending press.
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