Airbus has a width problem with the A350. While the -1000 variant matches the Boeing 777-300ER in capability, it normally seats only nine across in economy, so airlines swapping in the Airbus tend to lose capacity. Boeing's bigger 777-9, with 10-abreast seating, has out-sold the A350-1000 by a wide margin — more than 500 orders against 373.
Airbus's answer arrived with the A350 New Production Standard, first delivered to Iberia in September 2022. Among other upgrades, engineers redesigned the cabin sidewalls to free up four inches (10.2 cm) of interior width. On paper, that's enough for a 10-abreast economy cabin with 17-inch seats — similar to what you'd find on a 777 or 787. Previously, only low-cost operators Air Caraïbes and French bee had gone 10-abreast, and their 16.5-inch seats were considered too tight for full-service carriers.
So how does it feel in practice? Philippine Airlines became the third airline to try it, taking its first A350-1000 in December 2025 with 382 seats: 42 business, 24 premium economy and 316 economy. To make the layout work, the carrier trimmed armrests, pushed seats toward the sidewall and narrowed the aisles. Reporting from Simple Flying in July found the cabin noticeably tighter than Boeing's widebodies. No other airline has followed suit since.
The sales picture adds nuance. Nine of the 777-9's 12 customers also order Airbus widebodies, and only All Nippon Airways has bought the 777-9 without touching the A350. Emirates (235 orders) and Qatar Airways (90) dominate the 777-9 book, while airlines like Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas have picked the A350-1000 to replace 777-300ERs, 747s and A380s. In other words, the two aircraft increasingly coexist rather than compete head-to-head — the 777-9 as a premium flagship with first class, the A350-1000 as a lower-cost, long-range workhorse.
Airbus is now weighing a stretched A350-1000 with 777-9-style capacity, with a programme decision expected before 2030. The key dilemma: whether to re-engine the aircraft, since the current engines are considered maxed out, or accept a range penalty. Boeing is reportedly studying a '777-10' with Emirates in response.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: on an A350, check the seat map before booking. A nine-abreast A350 is one of the more comfortable economy cabins in the sky; a 10-abreast one — currently only Philippine Airlines among full-service carriers — will feel tighter, especially at the shoulders. On most routes that difference alone can be worth paying attention to when picking between airlines on the same city pair.
Story via Simple Flying.
