Toulouse, France — The Airbus A350F is a new-generation cargo aircraft developed by Airbus. It is based on the A350 passenger aircraft family, but it has been designed for transporting large and heavy loads. Airbus officially launched the A350F program in 2021.
Technical Data
The A350F can carry up to 111 tonnes of cargo and has a maximum range of around 8,700 kilometers, or 4,700 nautical miles. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
More than 70% of the aircraft is made from advanced materials. This helps to reduce its weight. Airbus says the A350F can offer up to 20% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared with previous-generation freighters with a similar payload and range.
One of the most visible differences is the huge main-deck cargo door. It has an opening of about 4.3 meters and is designed to make loading large cargo easier. The door is made from carbon-fiber composite materials and is also an important part of the aircraft’s structure.
The First Orders
The first important customers showed interest in the A350F soon after its launch. In November 2021, CMA CGM announced an agreement for four A350F aircraft. Singapore Airlines also became an early customer and later finalized an order for seven aircraft in February 2022. These aircraft were planned to replace the airline’s older Boeing 747-400F freighters.
Air France-KLM also confirmed an order for four A350F aircraft in April 2022. At that time, Airbus already had several customers interested in the new freighter.
The orders continued to grow, and new customers have joined. In March 2026, Atlas Air placed an order for 20 A350F aircraft, becoming the largest customer of the type.
All customers for the A350F:
- Atlas Air
- Air China Cargo
- Air France
- AviLease
- Cathay Pacific
- CMA CGM
- Etihad Airways
- Korean Air
- Martinair
- MNG Airlines Cargo
- Singapore Airlines
- Starlux Airlines
- Silk Way West Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
Building the First Aircraft
The production of the first A350F began with individual aircraft parts being manufactured at different Airbus sites across Europe. For example, the wings are produced in Broughton in the United Kingdom, while important fuselage and composite components are produced in Spain. The final assembly takes place in Toulouse, France.
In 2025, Airbus completed the first A350F wingset in Broughton. Airbus also completed the first horizontal stabilizer in Spain. Two A350F aircraft were planned for the flight-test program.
The first test aircraft, registered as F-WXLD (MSN700), entered the final stages of production in Toulouse in summer 2026. Engineers installed and tested the new cargo systems, including the large main-deck cargo door and cargo loading system.
In August 2026, the first A350F successfully completed ground vibration testing. This was an important step because engineers needed to check how the aircraft reacts to vibrations before its first flight.
The First Flight
After the ground tests, Airbus is moving towards the most important milestone: the first flight. The first A350F was officially painted in September 2026. Airbus currently says that the aircraft’s first flight will take place before the end of 2026.
The first flight will begin an extensive flight test and certification program. Airbus plans to use the test aircraft to check the A350F’s performance, systems, handling, and cargo equipment.
The A350F is currently planned to enter commercial service in the third quarter of 2027.
The journey from the first orders to the first flight shows how complex the development of a new aircraft is. From producing wings and composite parts to testing the world’s largest main-deck cargo door, Airbus has had to complete many stages before the A350F can carry its first commercial cargo.
