Europe's newest passenger jet, the Airbus A350, has successfully begun its maiden voyage.
The jet's first flight Friday from the French city of Toulouse was manned by a crew of six and is expected to last four hours.
The jet is seen as a milestone for Airbus as it battles against Boeing's 787 Dreamliner for sales of a new generation of lightweight carbon-composite jets designed to save fuel and open new long-distance routes.
The long-awaited flight comes three days ahead of the Paris Airshow.
The jet's first flight Friday from the French city of Toulouse was manned by a crew of six and is expected to last four hours.
The jet is seen as a milestone for Airbus as it battles against Boeing's 787 Dreamliner for sales of a new generation of lightweight carbon-composite jets designed to save fuel and open new long-distance routes.
The long-awaited flight comes three days ahead of the Paris Airshow.