Cracks in the painted surface exposed gaps in a sublayer of A350 lightning protection, prompting its regulator to ground 29 of the jets. Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, has acknowledged quality flaws but insisted the jets are safe.

While the Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft in 2026, it is not without its flaws, the most high-profile of which has been the surface paint degradation issue. Several airlines, most notably Qatar Airways, reported that the paint on the A350’s composite fuselage would crack and peel, exposing the underlying lightning protection layer (copper mesh). While Airbus and aviation regulators maintained this was a cosmetic issue rather than a safety risk, it led to a massive legal battle and grounded several aircraft for years. Another flaw is the "cockpit liquid sensitivity"; the A350’s center pedestal is notoriously sensitive to liquid spills. There were incidents where spilled drinks on the control panel caused engine shutdowns in mid-flight, leading to a mandatory redesign of the cupholders and the installation of protective covers. Furthermore, some passengers in 2026 criticize the A350’s 10-abreast economy configuration (3-4-3), which some airlines have adopted to increase capacity, making the seats feel narrower than the traditional 9-abreast layout of the Boeing 787 or the older A330.