Airbus has announced the launch of the A330-800neo and the A330-900neo, which are the latest variants of the A330 two-engined widebody airliner that entered service in 1994. Airbus says that the A300neo aircraft use the new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine and are the most cost-efficient wide-body aircraft on the market with 14 percent better fuel consumption per passenger seat compared to today's A330.
Aimed at making the A330 competitive with the Boeing 787 and to extend the line’s service life as a transition model for the A350, the A330neo variants are based on the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 turbofan engine, which is exclusive to the A330neo. With a fan diameter of 112 in (2.8 m) and a thrust of 68,000 to 72,000 lb, Rolls-Royce describes it as a “step change” over the Trent 700.
The Trent 7000 is the seventh and latest Trent engine and combines technology from the Trent 700, Trent 1000-TEN, and the Trent XWB engines. According to Airbus, it is not only more fuel efficient, but extends the A330neo’s range by 400 nautical miles (460 mi, 740 km). It’s also ten percent more efficient than the 700 and produces half the noise. The engine is currently under development with tests scheduled for next year.
Other improvements to the A330neo include advanced cockpit systems, a longer wingspan, new engine pylons, and A350 XWB-inspired winglets for better aerodynamics. In addition, the A330neo has ten more 18-in wide passenger seats, a "fourth generation" entertainment system capable of showing 3D films, mood lighting, and full wireless connectivity.
The first deliveries of the A330-900neo are expected in 2017, and in 2018 for the A330-800neo.
Sources: Airbus, Rolls-Royce