( CNN ) -- The highly anticipated arrival of the Airbus A350 XWB took a small step closer , yesterday . The European aircraft manufacturer unveiled the latest in its test fleet of the new jet , the MSN2 , painted in a new `` carbon '' livery and the first to be equipped with a full passenger cabin interior . Test flights of the aircraft began before the Paris Airshow last May . In the coming weeks Airbus will send the MSN2 into the skies on a series of Early Long Flights ( ELF ) with passengers onboard . The company says it remains on track to deliver the new aircraft to its first customer , Qatar Airways , in the fourth quarter of this year . `` XWB '' means `` extra wide body . '' Three different iterations of the plane are being built : the A350-800 , the A350-900 and the A350-1000 , which seat 270 , 314 and 350 passengers , respectively , in three-class seating . Read more : The year ahead in air travel . Currently there are 814 orders from 39 airlines on the company 's books . The A350 XWB is the first in a family of super-efficient passenger planes Airbus designed to go head-to-head with rival Boeing 's 787 Dreamliner and 777s . The project for the new jet began in 2006 and was initially criticized by some in the industry , including airlines , for not really advancing the global aviation scene . Most of the orders for the plane are for the larger -900 and -1000 versions , leading some industry experts to suggest the company may discontinue to offer the -800 and clear the way for a re-engineered Airbus A330 . The distinctive carbon livery of the latest A350 XWB plane reflects how much of the aircraft is made from advanced materials ; 53 % of the A350 XWB is made up of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer and is Airbus ' first carbon-fiber fuselage .
Airbus unveil first A350 XWB with full passenger cabin . Test flight with people on board will take place later this year . Comment: