A330-900NEO Role - Wide-body jet airliner National origin - Multi-national Manufacturer - Airbus First flight - 19 October 2017[1] Introduction - Expected summer 2018[2] Status - Flight testing Produced - 2015-present Number built - 2 prototypes Program cost - $2 Bn (£1.18 Bn)[3] Unit cost - A330-800neo: US$254.8M (2017)[4] A330-900neo: US$290.6M (2017)[4] Developed from - Airbus A330 The extended-fuselage member of Airbus’ A330neo product line – the A330-900neo –can accommodate 287 seats in a typical three-class layout or up to 440 for high-density configurations. Incorporating latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, along with aerodynamic improvements – including new composite Sharklet wingtip devices – as well as increased lift and reduced drag, the A330neo is a more efficient aircraft that will generate savings through reduced fuel burn. Highly-efficient operations Operators of Airbus' A330neo – which is comprised of two versions, the A330-800neo and A330-900neo – will benefit from up to 400 nautical miles of additional range, as well as reductions in fuel burn and maintenance costs. Building on the same dimensions as Airbus' proven A330-300, the A330-900neo version makes for an even more efficient and comfortable aircraft. The Airbus A330neo ("neo" for "New Engine Option") is a wide-body jet airliner currently under development by Airbus from the Airbus A330 (now A330ceo - "Current Engine Option"). A new version with modern engines developed for the Boeing 787 was called for by owners of the current A330. It was launched on 14 July 2014 at the Farnborough Airshow, promising 14% better fuel economy per seat. It will use exclusively the larger Rolls-Royce Trent 7000. Its two versions are based on the A330-200 and -300 : the -800 should cover 7500 nm (13,900 km) with 257 passengers while the -900 should cover 6550 nm (12,130 km) with 287 passengers. The -900 made its first flight on 19 October 2017 and should be introduced with TAP Air Portugal around mid-2018. Detailed design Airbus unveiled a distinctive cockpit windscreen to be featured on the A330neo, similar to that on the A350.[22] Airbus will introduce its new interior concept that promises a better passenger experience on the A330neo.[23] Initially based on the largest 242t MTOW A330, Airbus is studying an improvement to 245 t (540,000 lb) MTOW for the A330neo, which would match the figure originally given for the Airbus A350-800 before it was sidelined in favor of the A330neo.[24] This would give the -900 a 7,000 nmi (12,964 km) range to better compete with the 787-9’s 7,635 nmi (14,140 km)[25] Along the 19 October 2017 first flight, the MTOW was announced to increase to 251 t (553,000 lb) by mid-2020 with a few changes to the landing gear and brakes, increasing its range by 700 or 1,000 nmi (1,300 or 1,900 km) and compared to the current A330neo or A330ceo.[2] Engines Candidate engines included variants of Rolls-Royce's Trent 1000 and General Electric's GEnx-1B. Both engine makers were reportedly interested in winning an exclusive deal should a re-engined A330 be offered. The Trent 1000 TEN (Thrust, Efficiency, New Technology) engine is under development for the 787-10, but Rolls-Royce intends to offer a broad power range.[27] Flight testing The A330-900 first flight on 19 October 2017 debuts the 1,400 hours flight test campaign involving three prototypes plus the first production aircraft : 1,100 flight hours for the A330-900 and 300 flight hours for A330-800, targeting a mid-2018 EASA and FAA Type Certification.[1] The 4h15 flight reached 30,125 ft (9,182 m) and 502 kn (930 km/h).[39] It should establish certain maximum operating points and achieve an initial handling qualities assessment including at high angle of attack. This first aircraft, MSN1795, is scheduled to perform 600h and is to be joined next month by the second, MSN1813, which will fly 500h, before the third, MSN1819, the first customer aircraft for TAP Portugal with a complete cabin.