Airbus is seeking to reduce its dependence on the A321neo as the single-aisle aircraft becomes its dominant commercial product, with a longer A350 variant under consideration for the approximately 400-seat market. The strategy would strengthen Airbus’s widebody business as Boeing prepares to challenge the A321neo with the newly certified 737-10 and as A320neo-family production remains sold out into the early 2030s.
Airbus had recorded 1,174 aircraft orders through September, including 1,012 single-aisle jets and 571 A321neos. Widebody sales totalled 162 aircraft, compared with 213 reported by Boeing over the same period. Airbus has sold 7,919 A321neos and delivered 2,263, while Boeing had accumulated 1,555 737 MAX 10 orders before the aircraft’s certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration on 20 October.
Lars Wagner, head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, identified customer demand for a longer-stretched A350, informally referred to as an A350-2000. The aircraft would target a segment currently occupied by Boeing’s 777-9, although Airbus has not formally confirmed the programme. Wagner is also expected to discuss increasing A350 output beyond the rate of 12 aircraft per month planned for 2028 with the Airbus executive committee before the end of the year.
Strong lessor demand continues to reinforce Airbus’s narrowbody concentration. Aviation Capital Group ordered 75 A320neo-family aircraft in October, while Avolon committed to 75 A320neo-family aircraft and 35 A330-900s. ACG’s order is scheduled for delivery between 2032 and 2035, highlighting the depth of the existing single-aisle backlog.