Airbus A350-1000 vs Boeing 777-9

The Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9 are the two largest twin-engine airliners, direct successors to the 777-300ER, and only one of them has been in service long enough to judge. The A350-1000 entered service with Qatar Airways in February 2018: 73.8 m long, seating around 369 in three classes and up to 480, with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines of 97,000 lb thrust and a range of about 8,700 nautical miles. The 777-9 is the longest airliner ever built at 76.7 m, seating about 426 in two classes, with General Electric GE9X engines of 110,000 lb thrust, the largest jet engines ever made, and folding wingtips that take its span from 64.8 m on the ground to 71.8 m in flight; range is about 7,285 nautical miles. The 777-9 first flew in January 2020 and its certification has run years late, with entry into service expected in 2026.

Boeing's pitch is capacity: the 777-9 carries fifty to sixty more passengers than the A350-1000 in comparable layouts, giving it the lowest cost per seat of any twin on routes that can fill it, which is why Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Singapore, ANA and British Airways ordered it. Airbus's is efficiency and maturity: the A350-1000 is lighter, its composite structure and smaller engines burn less fuel per trip, and it has flown more than seven years of revenue service while the 777-9 waited.

Passenger experience

Both are ten-abreast in economy on most airlines, but the 777's wider fuselage gives it a small edge: the 777-9's cabin, with sculpted sidewalls that free up extra inches, allows seats near 18 inches at 3-4-3, while the A350-1000's 3-3-3 at 18 inches is the Airbus norm and some operators squeeze in 3-4-3 at under 17. The 777-9 has windows larger than the 777-300ER's, a lower cabin altitude and the 787-style interior; the A350-1000 has a quiet cabin, a 6,000 ft cabin altitude and large windows with blinds. Premium cabins on both will be each airline's newest, since both are flagships. For the best economy seat, take a window forward of the wing on either, and on the 777-9 the pairs at the rear where the fuselage tapers.

Which to choose

Airlines with the busiest long-haul routes have bought the 777-9 for its size; those wanting proven efficiency and flexibility have bought the A350-1000, and several have bought both. For passengers the 777-9 promises the roomier ten-abreast cabin, and the A350-1000 is the one you can fly today.