Which airline was the launch customer for the Airbus A350 XWB?

Qatar Airways was the launch customer for the Airbus A350 XWB, now generally called the Airbus A350. Airbus delivered the airline's first A350-900 in December 2014.

Qatar Airways began scheduled A350 service on 15 January 2015, flying from Doha to Frankfurt. The aircraft represented Airbus's response to the Boeing 787 and newer versions of the 777, combining long range with a wide-body cabin and extensive use of composite materials.

The A350 family was developed in several versions. The A350-900 entered service first, while the larger A350-1000 followed later. Both use Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, although the engine variant differs by aircraft size.

The “XWB” label originally meant “extra wide body,” reflecting Airbus's effort to offer a wider cabin than the 787 while maintaining modern fuel efficiency. Qatar Airways' first aircraft carried a distinctive livery and helped establish the type on international routes from its Doha hub.