The first A350 destined for British Airways is currently under construction. Teasers of the aircraft are slowly being released, the latest being a tantalizing wingtip painting video. British Airways is set to receive a total of four Airbus A350-1000 aircraft by the end of the year.

The Airbus A350 is commonly referred to as the 'extra wide body', or simply XWB for short. We already know that the first BA A350 will be registered as G-XWBA. This is interesting as it combines not only the XWB from extra wide body but also BA for British Airways.

Brand new seating

One of the most hotly anticipated features of the new British Airways Airbus A350 is the new Club World seat. The seat, which will really be a suite, is part of a much-needed refresh of the business class cabin. While some  have said that they think the new Club World seat is better than the current first seat, this won't be a problem on the A350.

The British Airways A350 will only have three cabins. That is to say, World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and Club World (business). There won't be any first class on these aircraft.

British Airways A350
The new British Airways Club World suite. Photo: British Airways

Work in progress

BA's first A350-1000 is currently under construction at Airbus' Toulouse factory. This is taking place at the same time as the first Airbus A350-1000 destined for Virgin Atlantic. While Virgin has been fairly tight-lipped about the progress of their A350, British Airways is proud to showcase the progress of their aircraft.

Just two days ago, the carrier posted a video showing the wingtip painting process. The A350 will be the only aircraft in the Chatham Dockyard livery with painted wingtips, with the exception of some Comair franchise aircraft. While we think it looks wonderful, we'll let you be the judge:

Initial routes

When the A350 is delivered to British Airways in the summer, it won't head straight into long-haul service. Instead, the aircraft will initially operate between London and Madrid. The purpose of this is to familiarize the crew with the aircraft on shorter hops.

British Airways A350
The aircraft's initial route network. Source: GCMaps

Following the Madrid flights, the aircraft will then begin long-haul flights from October 1st. It will begin operating the route from London to Toronto, while occasionally being seen on the London to Dubai route too. It is expected that the final four A350s due to BA this year will be delivered after this date.

While we know that the aircraft will be delivered sometime this summer, we are yet to know the exact date. British Airways has advised that the date will be made public in June.

Can you wait for the BA A350? Let us know in the comments down below!