The 10 Largest Airline Operators Of The Airbus A350

After the cancellation of the Airbus A380
, the Airbus A350
is now Airbus’ flagship widebody airliner. Not only does it boast the world’s longest range for any commercial passenger jet, but

it also has the world’s highest ETOPS 370 rating
. As

the Airbus A350 turns 10
, we look at the airlines that operate most of this widebody aircraft. Here are the ten (eleven) largest operators of the A350 as of January 2025, according to information gathered by ch-aviation.

10

Iberia/Thai Airways

Iberia and Thai Airways each have 22 A350s in service

Variant:

-900

Number on order:

None (Iberia), one (Thai Airways)

Total fleet:

22 Iberia and 22 Thai

Iberia
is the flag carrier of Spain and is based in Madrid (it is also among the world’s oldest airlines still operating, having been established in 1927). With 22 A350s, it is tied for ninth place with Thai Airways with having the most A350s in service (although Iberia is about to take delivery of its final A350, which will increase its fleet to 23).

Iberia Airbus A350-900 Taxiing In Boston

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Iberia exclusively operates the Airbus A350-900
variant (all of which are currently active). Iberia has a total fleet size of 91 commercial jets and serves around 130 destinations. All of Iberia’s fleet are Airbus aircraft, and its only other type of wide-body aircraft is the smaller A330. Notably, Iberia is the launch customer for the new Airbus A321XLR. Thai Airways
has 22 A350s in service with another on order (its unclear if the final A350 has already been delivered).

Related

Flight Review: Iberia A350 Business Class – Madrid To London

9

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has 23 A350s in service

Variant:

-900 and -1000

Number on order:

1

Total fleet:

23

Ethiopian Airlines
has become the leading airline in sub-Saharan Africa (especially after the collapse of South African Airways
). The airline has 23 A350s in service, with another on order. Ethiopia operates both variants (including 20 A350-900s and 3 A350-1000s, with another one of that type on order).

A350-1000 Ethiopian Airlines Delivery Ceremony

Photo: Airbus

The A350 is notable for being the only Airbus aircraft in Ethiopian Airline service (the bulk being Boeing aircraft). Ethiopia also operates Boeing 737s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s. Tragically, one of the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes that triggered the 737 MAX storm was

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 which crashed in March 2019
, claiming all lives onboard.

Related

Where Ethiopian Airlines Is Flying Its Brand New Airbus A350-1000 So Far

The airline is taking its new aircraft on promotional flights around Africa.

8

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has 24 A350s in service

Variant:

-900

Number on order:

Up to 92

Total fleet:

24

The world’s eighth-largest fleet of A350s is Turkish Airlines, with 24 in service (all of which are A350-900 variants). What is remarkable is how many more A350s Turkish Airlines is planning to order. While Planespotters.net shows Turkish Airlines has 34 A350s in service with another three on order, the airline has much more ambitious plans.

Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 landing shutterstock_2300128809

Photo: ThaKlein | Shutterstock

In April 2024,

Simple Flying reported Turkish Airlines wanted to order 50 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s, and 5 A350F freighters
. Ch-aviation also showed that the airline’s order book included 72 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s, and 5 A350Fs. Turkish Airlines took over six orders that had been intended for Russia’s Aeroflot before sanctions cut it off from the international aviation market. The airline is planning to use its -1000s on routes as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Related

Up To 19h 10m: Turkish Airlines Begins New 3rd Longest Route

Its three current longest routes all started in 2024.

7

Lufthansa

Lufthansa has 26 A350s in service

Variant:

-900 (-1000 on order)

Number on order:

Approx. 29

Total fleet:

30

According to ch-aviation, Lufthansa has 26 A350-900s in service (although according to Planespotters.net, it has another four parked, meaning it has a fleet of 30 A350s). In April 2023, Lufthanasa stated, “The Lufthansa Group has ordered 22 long-haul aircraft of the latest generation, which will join the fleet from 2025. These include ten Airbus A350-1000s, five Airbus A350-900s.”

First Lufthansa A350-300 From Munich Smoking SEA Runway

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Deliveries of the A350-1000 will begin in 2026. In December 2024,

Simple Flying reported Lufthansa had ordered another five A350-1000s
, bringing its total order for the type to 15 aircraft. Lufthansa is planning to replace its aging fleet of A340-600s with the new A350-1000s (separately,

A340s appear to be a popular aircraft for Iran’s sanctioned Mahan Air to purchase on the black market
).

Related

Lufthansa’s 1st Airbus A350 With Allegris First Class Cabin Arrives At Munich Hub

Lufthansa took delivery of the aircraft on October 16.

6

Air China

Air China has 29 A350s in service

Variant:

-900

Number on order:

None

Total fleet:

30

Air China (one of the flag carriers of China) has a total of 30 A350-900s (one of which is parked). Air China also operates the A330 along with Boeing widebody 787s and 777s. Additionally, Air China is one of the first airlines to order and operate China’s domestic passenger aircraft—the COMAC C909 and the COMAC C919.

Airbus A350 Air China

Air China took delivery of its first narrowbody COMAC C919 in 2024 and has placed an order for over 100 of the type. Air China (a mainland Chinese airline) should not be confused with China Airlines (the main carrier of Taiwan), which also operates A350s.

Related

Swanky: Air China Reveals Brand New Business Class Cabin On Airbus A350

The new cabin features seats with state-of-the-art ergonomic features and a lie-flat length of nearly 80 inches.

5

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines operates 32 A350s

Variants:

-900 (-1000 on order)

Number on order:

28

Total fleet:

35

Delta Air Lines
is by some measures the largest airline in the world and competes with United Airlines and American Airlines to have the world’s largest fleet (all three have around 1,000 commercial passenger aircraft). Historically, Delta was one of the top operators of Boeing widebody aircraft (and it has a special history with the Boeing 747).

Delta Airbus A350-900

However, Delta has mostly switched to operating Airbus widebodies, and it has a fleet of 35 A350s (of which three are parked). These are all A350-900s (it has another eight -900s on order). In January 2024,

Delta placed an order for A350-1000s to be used on its long-hual routes
.

Related

Delta Air Lines Plans Future Airbus A350-1000 Long-Haul Routes

Delta is looking to resume flights to places like India once the A350-1000 arrives.

4

Air France

Air France has 34 A350s in service

Variant:

-900

Number on order:

Approx. 34

Total fleet:

35

France is one of the primary locations for the construction of the A350. Currently, Air France
has a fleet of 35 A350-900s (one of which is parked). In September 2023,

the Air France-KLM Group placed an order for 50 A350s
(these are a mix of -900s and -1000s). In all, it appears that Air France has around 34 A350s on order.

Air France Airbus A350-900 Inflight

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Air France is planning to transition many of its widebody aircraft to the A350. It has A330s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s in service and the A350 is expected to eventually replace many of its older A330s and Boeing 777s.

Related

Air France’s Airbus A350-900 Fleet: A Complete Guide

The airline’s latest addition to its fleet is equipped with a little something for everyone.

3

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has 47 A350s in service

Variant:

-900 and -1000

Number on order:

5 freight variant

Total fleet:

48

Cathay Pacific operates a fleet of 30 A350-900s and 18 A350-1000s (one of which may be parked). In December 2023, Cathay Pacific received the final passenger A350 aircraft. However, it also has a fleet of six A350F freighter aircraft on order with an option for another 20.

Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900 departing shutterstock_2212845381

Photo: BearFotos | Shutterstock

Hong Kong’s international airport is the largest cargo airport in the world (travelers can typically see many freighter variant Boeing 747s at the airport). Cathay’s A350-900s, come with a total of 280 seats (38 business, 28 premium economy, and 214 economy seats). Its Airbus A350-1000s
come with 334 seats (46 business, 32 premium economy, and 265 economy seats).

Related

Cathay Pacific Adds New Airbus A350 Dallas-Fort Worth Route

Cathay Pacific is significantly growing its North American market and today announced its first-ever service to Dallas-Fort Worth.

2

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has 57 A350s in service

Variant:

-900 and -1000

Number on order:

None

Total fleet:

58

Qatar Airways
has a fleet of 58 A350s, of which one is parked (these are made up of 34 A350-900s and 23 A350-1000s). Qatar Airways did have a larger order of A350-1000s. However, 19 outstanding orders for the A350-1000 were canceled and

Airbus removed them from the order book in September 2022
.

Qatar Airways A350-1000 final approach1 shutterstock_1467066665

Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen | Shutterstock

Recently, there have been rumors that Qatar may be moving to place a large order for up to 200 widebody jets (including A350s and Boeing 777X). However, this has not been confirmed. Qatar says of the A350, “Qatar Airways is the global launch customer and operator of the world’s most advanced passenger aircraft. Bringing major advantages in fuel efficiency along with unmatched passenger comfort, the A350 is notable for the quietest cabin of any twin-aisle aircraft and our luxurious interior ensures a serene and comfortable journey.”

Related

Finally: Qatar Airways Takes Delivery Of First Airbus A350 In Years

After a lengthy legal battle over A350 degradation and a subsequent settlement, the airline has taken its first new airframe from Airbus since 2020.

1

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has 62 A350s in service

Variant:

-900 and -900ULR

Number on order:

None

Total fleet:

65

Singapore Airlines
has the world’s largest fleet of 65 A350s (of which three are parked). The fleet is made up of 58 A350-900s and 7 Airbus A350-900ULR
aircraft. Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range) airliner and remains the only airline to operate it (it operates it on

the world’s longest scheduled commercial nonstop route from Singapore to New York-JFK)
. Singapore’s A350-900ULRs are the longest-range commercial jets in the world.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Inflight

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Notably,

Singapore Airlines does not offer economy class on its fleet of A350-900ULR aircraft
. Singapore has received all the A350s it ordered, and it is unclear if it will order anymore in the future. Singapore was also the launch customer of the A380, and today it has 12 in service (this ties it with British Airways for the second-largest A380 fleet—a distant second behind Emirates). Separately, Emirates has ordered 65 A350s, of which the first two have been delivered.

Related

Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 Fleet: 10 Key Facts To Know

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 is synonymous with luxury, high standards, and environmental stewardship.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *