World's newest airliner begins first commercial flight

Qatar Airways Airbus A350, the world's newest jetliner begins its first commercial flight carrying passengers from Doha, Qatar to Frankfurt Germany. It marks the debut of the relatively lightweight, twin-aisle, long-range plane, which promises to connect smaller cities with major aviation hubs nonstop at a cheaper cost for airlines

The A350's lightweight design allows it to burn significantly less fuel than other jets of similar size. A little more than half of the structure is made of composite materials such as plastic reinforced by carbon fibers. Add in titanium and advanced aluminum alloys and more than 70 percent of the plane is made up of lightweight materials.

For passengers, the new plane offers wider panoramic windows and larger overhead storage space plus the ability to limit connections.