A350 Formation

[Thatsthewaytodoit]

I thought this was quite impressive :D

video The A350 XWB test fleet joins up in formation flight - airbus, aircraft, airplane - videos AIRBUS (http://videos.airbus.com/video/94caba54003s.html)

[Jet Jockey A4]

Nicely done!

[saucy jack]

We noticed a close formation of what seemed to be three sizeable aircraft crossing London at high level yesterday evening from north to south at around 1815.

This video may explain what they were (although the video is obviously filmed over France).

[goeasy]

could this solve slot congestion at LHR?

[oldoberon]

not often we see that. nice pr movie. but why haven't they been delivered.

[JohnFTEng]

Probably because they've only just got EASA certification. See this article dated 30th Sept.

EASA Certifies Airbus A350-900 | Commercial Aviation content from Aviation Week (http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/easa-certifies-airbus-a350-900-0)

[DaveReidUK]

Probably because they've only just got EASA certification.And the first production aircraft (for Qatar) hasn't flown yet.

[172driver]

And the first production aircraft (for Qatar) hasn't flown yet.

There certainly is an aircraft in Quatari livery in the video.

[Airbubba]

There certainly is an aircraft in Quatari livery in the video.

Are you sure it wasn't Quantas? ;)

[tdracer]

Just because a flight test airplane is painted in a customer's colors doesn't mean it's in delivery configuration.
"Normal" procedure with a new aircraft is the first couple flight test aircraft air painted in some special manufacturer livery. But follow on flight test aircraft will be painted in the eventual customer airline livery, even though they are far from production configuration.
It'll take months of refurb before any of those flight test aircraft are fit for delivery to a customer. Often the very first flight test aircraft never is delivered - it stays in the manufactures inventory (e.g. very first 747, 757, and 767 were never delivered, and several of the first 787s will never be delivered but that's a different story all together)

[DaveReidUK]

There certainly is an aircraft in Qatari livery in the video. Yes, there is. No, it isn't a production aircraft.

http://www.air-journal.fr/2014-10-03-roll-out-du-premier-airbus-a350-de-qatar-airways-5116866.html

[treadigraph]

Saucy Jack, your sighting seems to coincide with these Typhoons (http://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/548656-high-altitude-formation-over-cambridge-1710utc-02oct.html).

[wiggy]

FWIW The aircraft carrying in hybrid Qatari colours has been around for a few weeks now... confused the **** out of me the first time I saw it.

although the video is obviously filmed over France

Indeed, not a million miles from Chez nous...pity I was away on a trip when they did the formation though I think I can spot my kids waving in one of the shots..:8