Airbus commences assembly of its next A330neo – A330-800

Airbus are continuing work on its next-gen A330neo family, with A330-800 production getting under way.

So far, we’ve seen pictures of the first of the A330neo – the A330-900 (the payload optimised varient), which is edging closer to first flight

2nd prototype #Airbus #A330-900 Neo F-WWTE emerge from paint shop #avgeek #toulouse #A330neo @flightradar24 @karelxwb @airwaysmagazine pic.twitter.com/v4dtURX8gJ

— Jujug Spotting (@Frenchpainter) February 9, 2017

There is of course, the matter of the range optimised version of the A330neo – the A330-800, with Airbus reporting that production is well under way – with first parts being assembled across Europe and Beyond.

These include:

• Increased-span wing now being equipped in Bremen (Germany)
• Composite Sharklets from (Korea)
• The fuselage sections in Hamburg (Germany)
• Titanium pylons in Toulouse (France)
• Center wing box in Nantes (France).

Airbus also released pictures of the parts as the A330-800 comes together

A330-800 Center Wingbox – Image, Airbus

A330-800 Fuselage – Image, Airbus

A330-800 Pylon – Image, Airbus

Airbus are targeting final assembly of the A330-800 by the end of 2017, with a view to work towards first flight in 2018.

Production of A330-800 will continue towards start of final assembly by the end of 2017 gearing up to first flight in 2018.

Currently, only one operator has signed up to this version of the A330neo – with Hawaiian Airlines holding six orders for the A330-800 (and everyone else going for the A330-900).

As a passengers, I’ve always looked forward to A330 flights – mainly due to cabin ambiance, but also how they fly. Others like them because they look pretty graceful when taking off or landing.

Hopefully, the next generation of A330s will improve on those characteristics… as well as boost the A330-800s sales…

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