Airbus’ second A350-1000 flight test aircraft has emerged from the paint shop in Toulouse, France with a distinctive carbon fibre-themed livery that is inspired by the advanced composites technology incorporated on the world’s most-modern widebody aircraft product line.

The A350-1000 is the longest-fuselage member of the all-new, highly efficient A350 XWB Family, which features the most comfortable and quietest twin-aisle cabin in the world. The A350-1000 typically seats 366 passengers and offers a 25 percent lower operating cost than its similarly sized competitors.

Evoking the composite materials that make up more than 50 percent of the A350 XWB airframe, the recognizable carbon paint scheme is harmonised on two aircraft in the A350 XWB test fleet: the no. 2 A350-1000, designated MSN065 in Airbus’ numbering system; and its “sister” MSN002, an A350-900 version.

MSN065 will take part in the certification campaign as the only A350-1000 flight test aircraft to be equipped with a full passenger cabin. It will perform cabin and air systems tests, along with undertaking the early long flights and route proving in 2017.