The Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER represent two modern, long-haul aircraft designed to meet high capacity and efficiency demands. Both offer advanced technologies and unique design choices, but each has distinct strengths. The Airbus A350-1000, introduced 19 years after the Boeing 777, incorporates more recent technological developments and materials, while Boeing’s 777-300ER, known for its larger size and higher passenger capacity, remains a workhorse for airlines.
The Airbus A350-1000 measures 73.79 meters in length and carries up to 369 passengers in a two-class configuration. Meanwhile, Boeing’s 777-300ER is slightly longer at 73.86 meters and accommodates 370 passengers in a three-class layout. While the A350-1000 can cover longer distances, the 777-300ER boasts higher payload capacity. Both are fly-by-wire, but they reflect different approaches to cockpit philosophy and handling. For example, Airbus’s fly-by-wire system in the A350 restricts control movements beyond specific safety limits in normal flight modes. In contrast, Boeing’s 777 fly-by-wire technology allows some flexibility beyond its soft limits, making it feel more like a traditional aircraft to pilots. The 777 also incorporates safety features such as tail strike protection and thrust asymmetry compensation, which enhance takeoff performance and reduce pilot workload.
Constructed largely from composite materials, the A350’s fuselage offers greater flexibility in cabin pressurization, allowing a standard 8,000 feet cabin altitude and an optional 6,000 feet setting, which enhances passenger comfort by reducing the effects of dryness. The 777, which uses traditional aluminum panels, maintains a standard 8,000 feet pressurization, while Boeing’s newer 787 offers a lower 6,000 feet setting. Although the A350 provides higher cabin humidity than the 777, Boeing’s 777-300ER has roomier interiors and larger windows, which contributes to a more spacious atmosphere. Boeing has also equipped the 777 with semi-levered main landing gear, which improves takeoff performance under various conditions by optimizing the angle for safe tail clearance.
Hydraulic Systems, Landing Gear, and Engine
The power generation and hydraulic systems of the two aircraft also differ. The A350-1000 uses two variable frequency generators per engine, allowing flexible power output. It adopts a simplified hydraulic system with just two independent systems, drawing from Airbus’s standard green-blue-yellow layout by eliminating the blue backup system and relying more on electrical components. Operating at 5,000 psi, the A350’s hydraulic system runs at a higher pressure than the 777’s 3,000 psi, improving efficiency. The 777, however, has a more intricate hydraulic system with three independent systems, using engine-driven and electrical pumps, along with additional pneumatic pumps. Each setup optimizes for specific operational efficiencies and backup capabilities in the event of power loss.
Landing gear configuration and the number of exit doors add to the operational differences between the two. The A350-1000 has eight passenger doors, compared to the 777-300ER’s ten, allowing for a higher exit limit and, consequently, a higher potential seat count on the 777. The A350-1000, which mirrors the 777’s twelve main landing gear wheels, also has a longer wheelbase that supports a high angle of attack during takeoff, though the 777’s shorter turning radius and ground turning capabilities remain advantageous for certain airports.
There are other differences, such as the 777-300ER being powered by the GE90-115B engines, while the Airbus A350-1000 is powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The GE90-115B produces 115,000 lbf of thrust, while the Trent XWB only produces 97,100 lbf of thrust. However, the Airbus A350-1000 enjoys a longer range compared to the 777-300ER. The A350-1000 is truly a step up from the 777-300ER; however, the latter is still widely used around the world. Will the A350-1000 catch up with the 777-300ER’s sales? Only time will tell, as the newer 777-9X still has to make its first commercial flight and earn its certifications.
