A350-1000 order changes: pragmatism prevails as airlines become more risk-averse

The relaunch of the A350-1000 programme is often attributed to Cathay Pacific, which, at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow, converted -900 orders and placed a new order for the A350-1000. Then-CEO John Slosar remarked Airbus' changes to the A350-1000 made it an "irresistible proposition".

Five years later, Cathay and United Airlines are resisting Airbus' new variant, the first of which is due to be delivered this year to Qatar Airways. United is swapping all 35 A350-1000s for 45 A350-900s, while Cathay has converted six of its 26 -1000s to -900s. The A350-1000 accumulated orders at the peak of the market.

Now there is a more conservative outlook, more competition from existing 777s and new 777Xs, and potentially a structural change in airline boardrooms, where they have evolved to becoing risk-averse and opting for smaller aircraft.

However, it is still early days for the A350-1000 programme. There may be more twists to come.