Airbus A350F Completes Maiden Flight, Moving Closer to Entry into Service. Airbus reached a major milestone in the development of the A350F, its new widebody freighter, after the first test aircraft, designated MSN 700, successfully completed its maiden flight. The aircraft remained airborne for 4 hours and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet under the command of an Airbus Flight Test crew.
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During the flight, teams conducted core checks to evaluate basic airworthiness, handling qualities, and primary system performance. This maiden flight marks the start of a flight test campaign expected to span over nine months toward full certification.
“This first flight is an important milestone for the A350F and for our customers around the world,” stated Lars Wagner, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.
The executive emphasized that the freighter combines operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and long-range capability to meet evolving global air cargo demands. Meanwhile, the second prototype, MSN 701, is in advanced final assembly in Toulouse and is expected to enter the paint shop in the coming weeks. Built on the A350 platform, the A350F will deliver a payload capacity of up to 111 metric tons and a range of up to 8,700 kilometers, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
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Featuring over 70% advanced materials, the aircraft boasts a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 46 tons lower than competing freighters in its class, reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 40% while fully complying with the latest ICAO standards. As of late August 2026, the program held 115 orders from 14 customers, capturing a 59% share of the large freighter market.
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