Airbus announced on 29 September 2026 that the A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two test aircraft, has completed its first flight. The aircraft, equipped with special flight test instrumentation, flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet.
During the inaugural flight, the crew carried out tests focused on verifying the basic airworthiness, fundamental flying qualities, and ensuring basic systems perform as predicted. This marks the start of an over 9 months flight test campaign, according to Airbus.
Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, was quoted saying the maiden flight is a milestone for the A350F and for customers worldwide, describing it as a true game changer for the air cargo market.
The company said the second A350F prototype (MSN 701) is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and will enter the paint shop in the next few weeks.
Airbus said the aircraft has a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometres and a payload up to 111 tonnes, and is made of over 70% advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonnes lighter maximum take-off weight compared to competitor craft.
The aircraft is powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, which Airbus said could bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% Arizona compared to similar aircraft. At the end of August 2026, the A350F system recorded 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers, capturing up to 59 percent market share in the large freighter category.
