The new Airbus A350 takes off for its maiden flight at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport in southwest France yesterday. The four-hour flight marks a key step on the path to full certification for the jet, which can carry between 250 and 400 passengers. The jet is Airbus's best hope for catching up in a long-haul market dominated by Boeing's 787 and 777. Airbus has 613 orders for the A350 and hopes the flight will bring momentum heading into next week's Paris Air Show.