Airbus has completed the maiden flight of its A350F freighter, marking the start of the aircraft’s flight test programme as the European aircraft manufacturer advances development of its latest cargo aircraft. The first A350F test aircraft, MSN 700, took off with special flight test instrumentation and remained airborne for four hours and 10 minutes. During the flight, the aircraft reached an altitude of 25,000 feet and was operated by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew.
The inaugural flight focused on verifying the aircraft’s basic airworthiness and fundamental flying qualities while checking that key systems performed as predicted. The milestone begins a flight test campaign expected to run for more than nine months. Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, described the first flight as a major milestone for the A350F and its customers worldwide. He said the aircraft, developed from the A350 platform, had been designed to combine operational flexibility, fuel efficiency and range for the global air cargo market.
Airbus is also progressing work on the second A350F prototype, MSN 701, which is at an advanced stage of final assembly. The aircraft is expected to enter the paint shop within the next few weeks.
Designed for long-haul cargo operations, the A350F will offer a range of up to 8,700 kilometres and a payload capacity of up to 111 tonnes, allowing operators to deploy the aircraft across international freight routes.
More than 70% of the aircraft is made from advanced materials. According to Airbus, this contributes to a maximum take-off weight that is 46 tonnes lower than competitor aircraft.
The A350F is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Airbus expects the aircraft to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 40% compared with competitor aircraft offering a similar payload-range capability. The A350F is also the first new freighter designed to fully meet the latest ICAO CO₂ emissions standards.
The programme has built a substantial commercial backlog ahead of entry into service. At the end of August 2026, Airbus had recorded 115 orders for the A350F from 14 disclosed customers. The company said the aircraft had captured up to 59% market share in the large freighter category, reflecting demand for new-generation cargo aircraft as operators look to modernise fleets and improve efficiency on long-haul routes. The maiden flight represents a key step towards certification, with the two test aircraft set to support the extensive validation programme covering the A350F’s systems, performance and operating characteristics.
