The Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777 are two of the most advanced twin-engine widebody aircraft in the world. While both aircraft target long-haul and ultra-long-haul markets, their design philosophies, systems architecture, and operational economics differ significantly. This article provides a detailed technical breakdown of their similarities and differences for pilots, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts.

📐 1. Airframe and Structural Materials

ComponentAirbus A350Boeing 777 / 777X
Fuselage53% Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)~70% Aluminum (777), 50% CFRP (777X)
WingsAdvanced carbon-fiber wing with morphing flapsMetal wing with folding raked wingtips (777X)
Wing Span64.75 m (A350-900), 64.75 m (A350-1000)64.8 m (777-300ER), 71.8 m extended (777X)
Wing Area443 m² (A350-1000)436.8 m² (777-300ER), 515 m² (777X)

Note: The A350’s use of laminar flow surfaces and morphing flap mechanisms reduce drag and improve aerodynamic performance. The 777X’s folding wingtips allow it to maintain gate compatibility while offering superior lift-to-drag ratio.

⚙️ 2. Powerplant and Propulsion

FeatureAirbus A350 XWB SeriesBoeing 777 Series
Engine TypeRolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 / XWB-97GE90-115B (777), GE9X (777X)
Thrust Rating84,200–97,000 lbf115,000 lbf (GE90), ~105,000 lbf (GE9X)
Bypass Ratio9.3:1 – 9.5:19.0:1 (GE90), 10:1 (GE9X)
Fan Diameter118 inches (XWB), 128 inches (GE90), 134 inches (GE9X)

The GE9X, designed specifically for the 777X, is the largest turbofan in the world and features composite fan blades, twin annular pre-swirl combustors, and high-pressure compressors with 11 stages, contributing to 12% better fuel efficiency over the GE90.

🛫 3. Performance Metrics

MetricA350-900A350-1000777-300ER777X (777-9)
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)280 tons316 tons351.5 tons351.5 tons
Max Range (Full Payload)15,000 km16,100 km13,650 km13,500–14,000 km
Cruise SpeedMach 0.85Mach 0.85Mach 0.84Mach 0.84
Max Operating Speed (VMO)Mach 0.89Mach 0.89Mach 0.89Mach 0.89

🧑‍✈️ 4. Flight Deck and Avionics

System FeatureAirbus A350Boeing 777 / 777X
Flight ControlsFull Fly-by-Wire, sidestick controlFull Fly-by-Wire, yoke control
Avionics SuiteThales Avionics (Modular Avionics Units)Honeywell with Rockwell Collins support
Display6 LCD displays, touchscreens (in -1000)5 LCD displays (777), 5 large displays (777X)
EFB IntegrationIntegrated into systemsSeparate tablets or integrated (777X)

The A350 features touchscreen-enabled avionics and highly integrated systems with predictive maintenance and enhanced ECAM. The 777X introduces synthetic vision, touchscreens, and HUDs, but retains Boeing’s traditional yoke design.

💺 5. Cabin Systems and Passenger Experience

FeatureAirbus A350Boeing 777 / 777X
Cabin Width5.61 m5.86 m
Typical Seating9-abreast in Economy10-abreast in Economy
Cabin Altitude6,000 ft6,000–8,000 ft (777), 6,000 ft (777X)
Humidity ControlYes (Moisture recycling)Limited (better on 777X)
Noise Levels< 70 dB at cruiseSlightly higher (older 777s)

While the 777 offers higher seating capacity, the A350 provides superior air quality, noise suppression, and cabin pressure — all contributing to reduced passenger fatigue on ultra-long-haul routes.

🔧 6. Maintenance, Operating Economics, and Dispatch Reliability

  • A350 benefits from centralized fault monitoring, predictive maintenance through Airbus Skywise, and fewer moving parts due to advanced materials.
  • 777 has built decades of operational data and boasts dispatch reliability >99.5%.
  • 777X promises reduced fuel burn by 10–12% vs. 777-300ER but has higher acquisition and development costs.

📊 Summary Table

FeatureAirbus A350Boeing 777X
Fuel Burn (Per Seat)~2.9 L/100km~3.1 L/100km (777X)
EnginesRR Trent XWBGE9X
Fly-by-WireYes, advanced with envelope limitsYes, but yoke-based
Materials53% CFRP50% CFRP
Wing TypeCurved CFRP with morphing flapsFolding wingtips, raked wing
Cabin Pressure Altitude6,000 ft6,000 ft (777X), 8,000 ft (older 777)

🛬 Conclusion

From a technical standpoint, the Airbus A350 leads in material efficiency, aerodynamic innovation, and passenger comfort, while the Boeing 777 remains unmatched in payload capability, fleet maturity, and engine power. The 777X, however, narrows the gap significantly with the GE9X engine and upgraded cabin features.

For airlines, the decision between the two aircraft depends on specific route profiles, fleet commonality, and long-term operational cost goals.

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By Aeropeep Team

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Aviation,

Last Update: June 15, 2025

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