After indicating that it would be Boeing 777 bound, Aeroflot has changed its mind and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 22 Airbus A350XWB aircraft, although no delivery date has been specified.
Currently a paper aircraft, the A350XWB should make its maiden flight in 2012 with entry into service in 2013.
Aeroflot was the first Airbus customer and operator in Russia, with A310s entering service in 1992, while it was also the first airline in the CIS to fly the A319 and A321. Aeroflot currently operates 26 A320 series, and is amongst the leading operators of the type in daily utilization.
Conceived from the outset as a family of aircraft, the A350XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions, carrying between 270 and 350 passengers with ranges of up to 8,500nm (15,750 km), at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85.
Airbus plans a freighter version as well as an extra long range passenger variant. It will have handling and flight deck operational commonality with other Airbus products, allowing airlines to benefit from the family concept of cross crew qualification and mixed fleet flying.