The Truth About the New A350

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Chapters:
Intro - 0:00
The New A350 - 2:35
Trying 10 Abreast - 3:55
The A350 Master Plan - 5:06
But What About Mainliners? - 7:16
The Benefit of Staying 9-Abreast - 8:35
Additional Anecdotes - 9:51
A Wholistic Approach to Comfort - 11:20
Continued Innovation - 12:14
Outro - 13:34

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The 2022 Farnborough Airshow was supposed to be a moment of triumph for the aviation world. The show was being held for the first time since COVID, and it brought some big orders and spectacular flying displays. But despite the fanfare, many Airbus loyalists walked away with a sour taste in their mouth. During the show, it was announced that the A350 was being updated, and not in a good way. Specifically, its cabin’s been redesigned to accommodate 10 economy seats per row - up from the 9-abreast layout that’s common today.

In a world where Airlines continue to pack more and more seats on planes, the A350 has been salvation. It’s remarkably roomy, even in coach. But now, Airbus appears to be caving to the high-density trend & sacrificing comfort in the process. However, I’m here to tell you that reports of the A350’s demise have been overblown. In reality, this change won’t impact comfort in the ways you think. And In fact, a 10 abreast A350 could be a really good thing for passengers. Let me explain…

#airbus #a350 #aviation

[lumingguan]

It sure feels different when you're alone. You need the fully experience when you're sandwiched between others. I don't think you will be casually resting your elbows and cross your legs.

When a marketing expert says "don't worry" it means this will happen soon.

[Helpmefly]

Having experienced sitting in a 9 abreast United 787 cabin as a 6’4“ guy in between two others on a 9 hour trip, I always make sure to book onto Delta‘s A330 neo‘s with 8 abreast. It’s a huge difference despite it being basically an older generation airframe. Tough nothing beats their A220‘s when flying coach.

[grizzomble]

This video is ridiculous. You're sitting there ALONE, with your shoulders and elbows hanging over into the adjacent seats.

[TerryMundy]

If I know in advance that the plane has 10 abreast I’ll pass. Being a slightly bigger guy I want room to relax my arms at my side instead of squeezing my shoulders together. I once ended up on a 3 hour flight where three of us bigger guys were squeezed together behind the bulkhead. That was the most uncomfortable flight in my life.

[jeffk]

Coby: Most airlines aren't likely to go to 10 abreast on their A350's.
Also Coby: Every airline has already gone to 9/10 abreast on their 787/777.

[brentsummers]

Same happened with the Boeing 777. When that aircraft was introduced it had 3-3-3 seating & was a great experience. United had them in that configuration for flights to and from Britain and Europe. Now the B777-300 ER has 3-4-3 seating and it's a lot worse. I think some airlines are still using 3-3-3 though.

[RandomKSandom]

It was interesting to see that even when you collected your arms at 4:38, you were still over hanging both arm rests. How would that work when you have neighbours?

[georgezaharoff]

Colby, who looks like he’s not that tall, should fly to Airbus in a 10-abreast A350 in a packed coach for 8-9 hours instead of a 1-2-1 business class and THEN tell us how roomy it is. And what, he is 5’9”? 10-abreast is one thing, the 30 inch pitch in an all “slimline” seat config is torture for anything over two hours.

[mckeekev]

I sat in a middle seat on a 10-abreast 777 from SFO to LHR and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. The cost difference between economy and economy-plus was about 40% on that flight. 40% more for maybe 5 to 8% more room. IMO the airlines see no floor for their passengers' misery if the passengers want cheap tickets.

[FLAMEalan]

The 777 10 seat configuration is the most uncomfortable setting Ive ever been on. At the time I was short and skinny, at 5ft10 60ish kg. Had horrible cramps and pains all around with a lack of freedom of movement. So I had to walk up and down the cabin and just stand near the toilets to not feel claustrophobic. Only on the return flight when I had a free seat next to me, could I sleep for at least half of the flight.

[georgejhuang]

Japan AIrlines' 787s are 8-abreast and much nicer than other 787s. Never have to cross over 2 people to go to bathroom. Private row when you have only two people. It's the best way to fly across the Pacific in economy class.

[cobyexplanes]

For clarification, Airbus *did not* pay me to make this video. In fact, I spent several thousand of my own dollars to make this trip possible. The opinions contained within are mine and mine alone (though Airbus did cover my flight out). Also I'm 5'10".

[cuprum]

I believe there should be customer protection rules to let you know if you are buying into a high dens or low density seating arrangement. If you don't fly all the time, must likely you won't know.

[randyarock]

I’d not be happy with cramped up packing in of passengers in that… it’s already close quarters.

I do have to agree on your comments on the A220. I took a round trip this week on a Delta A220-100 and I have to say it was actually comfortable back in the cheap seats. I had enough room and the seat pitch was livable. I think Airbus has a winner there, as these are way, way better than a regional jet that Delta is known to use on cross country flights.

I’ll seek out flights that use this aircraft more when I begin doing more travel. 😊

[ShubhamSharma-dewj]

I was in a 777-200 just yesterday on a 9 hour flight and that plane had a 9 abreast seating layout and was full to the brim. And as a larger guy, I struggled to sit comfortably in the middle between the window and aisle seat. Personally, packing more passengers is fine on a short flight within Europe where I live, in fact the Ryanair flight I took to Budapest was 3 hours and was not unreasonable. But tripling that time really pushed my limits of staying comfortably in my seat.

[Xamimus]

It's not 100% the fact that it's uncomfortable (but i still think it looks tight), it's that 9 years ago Airbus bragged about having 18" wide seats on all their planes!

[oisinbyrne]

I can live with the seats being narrow and losing space laterally, but being 6’4 I need all the leg space I can get, my opinion lives and dies by this

[woutergijs]

Fact: for my next long distance journey I had the choice between 4 options. 2 had 10 abreast in B-777. I declined. My choice was not the cheapest. And total travel time is longer in the go flight. But 9 abreast and 34” seat pitch. Guess you know now immediately which airline I choose…

[themindset]

I'm flying Frankfurt to Japan in a 787 and I'm so glad I'm doing it with Japan Airlines sitting 8 abreast, I feel I just dodged a bullet unknowingly