The Airbus A330neo maiden flight took off today (6-Nov) from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwestern France.
The first flight of A330-900, was put through its paces during a four hour and 13 minute airborne evaluation.
A330-900 will become the lowest seat-mile-cost jetliner in the 300-passenger widebody category.
A330neo comes in two variants, smaller A330-800 – the longest-range 250-seater, and the follow-on to today’s A330-900. Airworthiness certification of the A330-800 is planned for 2019.
Both A330-800 and A330-900 are powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest Trent 7000 turbofan powerplants, and incorporate high-span wings featuring 3D-optimised aerodynamics, new onboard systems, a connected cockpit, and the “Airspace by Airbus” cabin interior.
Six crew members for the first flight include 4 test pilots and two engineers.