As Airbus prepares for the first flight of the A330-900, production of the second member of the A330neo Family, the A330-800, is under way with the first parts advancing at Airbus sites throughout Europe. These parts include the new increased-span wing now being equipped in Bremen (Germany) and its new composite Sharklets from Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), the fuselage sections in Hamburg (Germany), the new titanium pylons in Toulouse (France) and the centre wing box in Nantes (France). 

Production of the A330-800 will continue towards start of final assembly by the end of 2017 gearing up to first flight in 2018.

The 250-seat A330-800 features 99% commonality with the larger A330-900, having the same airframe, engines and cross crew commonality. Both the A330-800 and A330-900 feature a new A350-inspired wing with Sharklet wingtip devices, Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and the new AirSpace by Airbus cabin. 

The A330neo offers an additional 400 nautical miles range, leading to a 6,550nm range on the A330-900 and 7,500nm on the A330-800. All A330s are built on the same production line, so that output can be adjusted according to market demands.

Airbus currently has orders for 210 A330neos, only six of which are for the A330-800.