Airbus A350F Freighter Takes to the Skies for the First Time!
Airbus has reached a major milestone in the development of its next-generation cargo aircraft. The Airbus A350F freighter, MSN 700, successfully completed its maiden flight in Toulouse, France, on September 29, 2026.
The first of two test aircraft flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes, reaching 25,000 feet. During the flight, Airbus’ dedicated test crew conducted initial checks of the aircraft’s airworthiness, flying qualities and basic systems.
The A350F now begins an extensive flight-test campaign expected to last more than nine months.
Designed for long-haul cargo operations, the A350F can carry up to 111 tonnes of payload and has a range of up to 8,700 km. More than 70% of the aircraft is made from advanced materials, contributing to a significantly lower maximum take-off weight.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, Airbus says the A350F could deliver up to 40% lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with competitor freighters offering similar payload and range capabilities.
The programme is already attracting strong customer interest. By the end of August 2026, Airbus had recorded 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers, representing up to 59% of the large-freighter market based on Airbus’ figures.
The maiden flight was operated by Captain and Test Pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito, First Officer and Experimental Test Pilot Sylvain Guiraud, and Test Flight Engineer Ludovic Girard. Lead Flight Test Engineers Laurent Bussiere and Jaime Angoloti were also onboard.
Meanwhile, the second prototype, MSN 701, is nearing completion and is expected to enter the paint shop in the coming weeks.
The A350F’s first flight marks the beginning of a major test program
