Airbus Eyes Completely New Aircraft: A360, Is it Viable?

TOULOUSE– Airbus has hinted at launching the A360, a next-generation narrowbody aircraft, during its recent Airbus Summit. While aviation fans welcomed the teaser, concerns remain about whether the timing is right.

The global production system is already struggling to meet demand for the A320neo and Boeing 737. Adding an all-new narrowbody could deepen supply issues, leaving airlines with fewer options when they need aircraft most.

Photo: Airbus

Airbus’ A360 Concept vs Market Needs

Airbus’s early A360 concept introduces radical technologies such as an open-fan engine with a bypass ratio as high as 70:1, foldable wings inspired by the Boeing 777X, morphing control surfaces, and a composite fuselage. These innovations promise efficiency gains of up to 25 percent compared to current turbofans.

The challenge is timing. According to aviation analyst Coby Explanes, the industry’s biggest pain point is production stability, not radical disruption.

Both Airbus and Boeing are battling large backlogs, with no expectation of clearing them before the 2030s. Launching an all-new single-aisle jet now would stretch suppliers even further, creating a “supply crunch” for airlines.

Photo: Boeing Airplanes

Why Boeing Must Replace the 737, but Airbus Has Options

Boeing has little choice but to retire the 737 family. Its design limits are well known, and efficiency improvements have hit a ceiling.

Airbus, however, still has flexibility. The A320neo remains modern with fly-by-wire systems and the capacity to handle larger engines.

Instead of a clean-sheet design, Airbus could introduce an “A320X” refresh—less risky, faster to market, and cheaper to integrate into existing assembly lines.

While not as advanced as Boeing’s rumored 797, it could deliver reliability and affordability at scale, a strong selling point for airlines struggling with delayed deliveries.

Photo: Airbus

The Stretch and Complement Strategy

Coby suggests Airbus consider stretching the A320 platform into a new “A322” model, avoiding the compromises of Boeing’s MAX 10.

At the same time, the Airbus A220 family is filling the lower end of the single-aisle market. A proposed A220-500 variant would compete directly with smaller narrowbodies, giving Airbus full coverage across short and medium-haul markets.

This dual-line approach—A220 plus A320 derivatives—offers stability, efficiency, and reduced production risk, while still satisfying demand across multiple airline segments.

Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Why the Widebody Market Is Airbus’ Bigger Prize

The real opportunity lies in widebodies. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner dominates long-haul travel, while Airbus’ A330neo has struggled to match its efficiency and sales. By the mid-2030s, the earliest Dreamliners will begin retiring, opening a critical replacement window.

Airbus could use the A360 designation for a clean-sheet widebody, positioned as a successor to the A330neo. This would mirror the successful launch of the A350, which captured demand as older Boeing 777s left airline fleets.

A new A360 widebody would let Airbus compete directly with the 787 and capture airlines seeking efficient long-haul solutions.

Photo: Airbus

Bottom Line

Airbus has a choice: pursue a disruptive A360 narrowbody alongside Boeing’s new program, or double down on refining the A320 family while preparing a widebody replacement.

Coby’s analysis points to the latter as the smarter move—delivering predictable capacity to airlines now, while investing in a widebody future that could shift the balance of power in long-haul travel.

The question is not whether Airbus can build the A360, but whether it should build the right A360 at the right time.

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