Airbus A350F freighter takes to the skies for first flight

Airbus has taken a major step towards bringing its new A350F freighter to market after the first test aircraft completed its maiden flight, marking the beginning of a more than nine-month flight test campaign.

The aircraft, MSN 700, took off equipped with dedicated flight test instrumentation and spent 4 hours and 10 minutes in the air, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. It was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew as the company began the process of assessing the new freighter’s performance and systems in flight.

The first flight concentrated on establishing the aircraft’s basic airworthiness and fundamental flying qualities, while also checking that its principal systems were performing as predicted. The results will feed into the wider test programme as Airbus works towards certification and entry into service.

“This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “As the latest development of our highly successful A350 platform, the A350F is a true game-changer for the air cargo market, combining unmatched operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and range.”

“I am immensely proud of the extraordinary dedication and hard work of all the teams who have made this achievement possible.”

The A350F programme will now move into an intensive flight test phase, with the aircraft expected to undergo a wide range of testing over the coming months. Airbus is also progressing the second test aircraft, MSN 701, which is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and is expected to enter the paint shop within the next few weeks.

The two aircraft will play a central role in demonstrating the capabilities of the new freighter ahead of certification.

A new generation of large freighter

The A350F has been developed as a purpose-built large freighter based on the A350 platform, combining the aircraft family’s extensive use of advanced composite materials with the requirements of modern air cargo operators.

Airbus says the aircraft will offer a maximum range of up to 8,700 kilometres while carrying payloads of up to 111 tonnes. This will allow operators to deploy the freighter on long-haul international routes while benefiting from the efficiency of the A350 platform.

More than 70% of the aircraft is made from advanced materials, contributing to a significantly lower structural weight. Airbus says the A350F has a maximum take-off weight 46 tonnes lower than competing aircraft with a similar payload-range capability.

That weight advantage is intended to translate into lower fuel consumption and operating costs, while also reducing the aircraft’s environmental impact.

Power comes from two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the same basic engine family used by the A350-1000. Airbus says the A350F will deliver fuel consumption and carbon emission reductions of up to 40% compared with competing aircraft offering a similar payload-range capability.

The A350F is also designed to meet the latest ICAO CO₂ emissions standards, making it the first new-build freighter to fully comply with the latest requirements.

Strong demand for the A350F

The first flight comes as Airbus continues to build momentum for the programme in the global freighter market.

At the end of August 2026, the A350F had accumulated 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers. Airbus says the aircraft has captured up to 59% of the large freighter market, underlining the growing interest in a new-generation aircraft that can combine high payload capacity with long-range capability and improved efficiency.

The freighter is also intended to give operators greater flexibility as the global air cargo sector evolves, particularly as airlines and freight operators look to replace ageing large freighter fleets with aircraft offering lower fuel consumption and emissions.

With MSN 700 now beginning its flight test programme and MSN 701 moving towards completion, Airbus has entered one of the most important phases of the A350F’s development.

The coming months will see the aircraft subjected to increasingly demanding testing as Airbus works towards demonstrating the freighter’s performance, systems and handling characteristics before certification.

For Airbus, the maiden flight represents more than simply another aircraft taking to the skies. It is the first airborne demonstration of a new generation of large freighter designed around the changing economics and environmental requirements of the global cargo market.