Anatomy Of The Airbus A330neo

Systems

P. Pigeyre/Airbus

The fly-by-wire A330neo shares the same pilot type rating as the original A330 and a common type rating with the A350. Systems are updated to support the reengined A330neo’s characteristics.

Cabin

Airbus

Modeled on the A350 interior, the Airspace cabin allows up to 10 additional seats on the A330-900neo (310 passengers) and six in the -800neo (252) compared with the A330-200/-300, with larger overhead bins and modular galley/lavatory options.

Wing

Airbus

Wing aerodynamics are optimized to offset the impact of the larger, heavier engines. Changes include revised wing twist, a redesigned belly fairing and reshaped flap track fairings as well as new wingtips. Reengining and wing changes combine for fuel-savings of 12% per trip.

Sharklets

Airbus

Derived from the drag-reducing wingtip design on the A350, composite sharklets increase span by 3.7 m (12.1 ft.) to 64 m. This requires minor local structural reinforcements that are offset by weight savings. Sharklets and wing optimization contribute block fuel-savings of 4%.

Fuselage

Airbus

The A330-800neo and -900neo are the same lengths—52.8 m and 66.7 m, respectively—as the A330-200 and -300. Weight savings in the fuselage and wing mean there is no increase in empty weight.

Landing Gear

Jens Flottau/AW&ST

The aircraft has more robust landing gear to cope with the 9,000-kg (19,800-lb.) increase in maximum takeoff weight to 251,000 kg. The nose and main gear were reinforced locally and have improved fatigue and corrosion resistance. The main gear has new tires and brakes.

Powerplant

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce’s 68,000-72,000-lb.-thrust Trent 7000 exclusively powers the A330neo and is a version of the Trent 1000 TEN developed for the Boeing 787. With an increased fan diameter of 112 in., bypass ratio is 10:1, double that of the Trent 700 powering the A330. Fuel burn is reduced 11% at the engine level. The bigger fan requires two more low-pressure turbine stages, and the engine is heavier and draggier. This is offset by optimization of the engine installation and wing modifications. Other changes include an electrical bleed-air control system.

Following the success of the A320neo program, airline demand for a reengined A330 led Airbus to launch the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered A330neo in July 2014. The first of two variants, the 7,200-nm-range A330-900, flew in October 2017 and was certified in September 2018 following a 1,400-hr. flight-test program. The first aircraft was delivered to TAP Air Portugal in November 2018. Certification of the shorter-fuselage, 8,150-nm-range A330-800 is expected by mid-2019, with deliveries planned to begin in the first half of 2020.

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