Airbus A350 Development Cost 50% Lower Than Boeing 787, Says Simple Flying

Airbus’s A350 program cost roughly $15 billion to develop, about half the $30–32 billion spent on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, according to Simple Flying. The gap reflects differing development strategies rather than the aircraft’s market value. Boeing’s higher cost stemmed from well‑documented delays, supply‑chain bottlenecks and redesign cycles that pushed the 787’s entry into service from 2008 to 2011, inflating expenses. While the figures highlight how program management can shape budgets, they do not directly translate into ticket prices or aircraft performance. Airlines and industry observers should note that development cost disparities may influence future procurement decisions and risk assessments, though the exact impact on end‑user pricing remains uncertain.