# The modern widebody sector is defined by competition between the A350 and the 787.

*business · news · 2026-04-13 · Simple Flying*

## Key points

- The Boeing 787 is generally cheaper to purchase than the Airbus A350 across most variants.
- The A350 typically has lower operating costs per seat than all 787 variants except the 787-10.
- Aircraft ownership and maintenance make up only about 20% of an airline's total operating costs.
- Singapore Airlines reduces A350 costs by maximizing fleet commonality and focusing on long-haul routes.
- Fuel hedging and even owning a refinery, as Delta Air Lines did, are strategies to manage fuel costs.

**Companies:** Boeing, Airbus
**Countries:** USA, Singapore, France

[Read the full story on Simple Flying](https://simpleflying.com/how-much-boeing-787-costs-compared-to-airbus-a350/)

---

Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/ea3ae5dc-bfff-4012-82c6-0db32aedb940/the-modern-widebody-sector-is-defined-by-competition-between-the-a350-and-the-78
Summarized by Newsio from Simple Flying. https://newsio.io/how-it-works