The Airbus A350 XWB has started a campaign of Early Long Flights with cabin crew and passengers. The A350 (MSN 002) test aircraft equipped with cabin, took off on the first of two Early Long Flights from Toulouse-Blagnac airport at 09.20hrs (local). The two flights will be operated in a real airline environment with Air France and Lufthansa cabin crew.

Covering all types of flight conditions, the flights will be completed during the week with almost 250 passengers on board comprising Airbus employees, and some 30 cabin experts from Airbus and equipment manufacturers.

The Early Long Flights are not part of the technical certification programme but remain an important step towards the A350’s maturity at entry into service.