A350-900 vs A380
The A350-900 leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
The Airbus A350-900 (introduced 2015) and the Airbus A380 (introduced 2007) are two aircraft buyers regularly weigh against each other. Both are commercial, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the A380 carries more passengers. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
A350-900 vs A380: the key differences
- The A380 delivers 1% more range (A350-900: 8,100 nm; A380: 8,200 nm).
- The A350-900 delivers 3% more cruise speed (A350-900: 521 kt; A380: 507 kt).
- The A380 delivers 94% more passenger capacity (A350-900: 440 seats; A380: 853 seats).
- The A350-900 is the newer design (introduced 2015 versus 2007 for the A380), a gap of 8 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The A380 is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (1,267,658 lbs versus 617,295 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
- The two differ in powerplant layout: the A350-900 runs 2 engines against 4 on the A380 — a factor in redundancy, maintenance scope and operating cost.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for nonstop ultra-long-haul routes, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the A380 seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the A380 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The A350-900 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
More comparisons
A350-900 vs A380: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the A350-900 or the A380?
The A380 has the longer published range — 8,200 nm versus 8,100 nm for the A350-900.
Does the A350-900 or A380 seat more passengers?
The A380 carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 853 seats, compared with 440 on the A350-900.
Which is faster, the A350-900 or the A380?
The A350-900 cruises faster, at 521 kt versus 507 kt for the A380.
Which is newer, the A350-900 or the A380?
The A350-900 is the newer design, introduced in 2015 versus 2007 for the A380.
Is the A350-900 or the A380 the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the A380 is the larger aircraft — 1,267,658 lbs versus 617,295 lbs for the A350-900.
Should I buy the A350-900 or the A380?
On published specifications the A380 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The A350-900 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the A350-900 vs A380?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.