Now that’s a stretch

First Boeing proposed a family of all-new super-efficient jets — the 210-seat 787-8 and the 250-seat 787-9.

Airbus countered with the 250-seat A350-800 and the 300-seat A350-900.

Under pressure from some potential customers — most notably Emirates — Boeing drew up some plans for a potential new 300-seater of its own, the 787-10.

And now Airbus is kicking around even larger A350, reports Flight International, which is calling it the A350-900X.

Key Quote: “‘Customers are shown Boeing’s proposed 787-10 stretch and we then get asked what we can do with the A350,’ says the programme’s chief engineer, Dougie Hunter.”

Flight says Airbus is studying adding 20 tons to the plane, which would allow it to carry bigger, more-powerful engines.