Airbus’ A350F freighter has taken another major step toward commercial service after completing its maiden flight from Toulouse, opening the way for a certification campaign that is expected to culminate in EASA type certification and the aircraft’s entry into service.
The first flight-test aircraft, MSN700, remained airborne for four hours and 10 minutes. During the flight, it climbed to 25,000ft and reached an indicated airspeed of 340kt.
A five-person test crew operated the aircraft, led by captain and experimental test pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito Hernandez. He was joined by first officer and experimental test pilot Sylvain Guiraud, test flight engineer Ludovic Girard, and flight-test engineers Laurent Bussiere and Jaime Angoloti Benavides.
The aircraft departed in direct law and progressively climbed first to 10,000ft before continuing to 25,000ft. Airbus said the crew confirmed that the aircraft’s aerodynamic and structural behaviour was consistent with the pre-flight models. The team then activated normal law and validated the aircraft’s full flight-envelope protections.
The maiden flight also included checks of the freighter’s pressurisation, communications and navigation systems.
Bernardo Saez-Benito, experimental test pilot, and Ludovic Girard, test flight engineer (Photo: Airbus)
Certification campaign moves forward
The first flight marks the beginning of a planned certification programme involving approximately 400 flight hours over around 10 months.
MSN700 will concentrate on handling qualities, autopilot systems and overall aircraft performance. For take-off performance testing, the aircraft has been equipped with a specialised tail skid and bumper designed to protect the structure in the event of contact with the runway.
A second flight-test aircraft, MSN701, has now completed final assembly and is undergoing ground testing ahead of its move into the paint shop.
MSN701 will be dedicated to systems-related work, including testing of air conditioning, water and waste systems, as well as comprehensive smoke-detection trials. The aircraft will also participate in hot- and cold-weather testing and customer visits.
“This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide,” said Lars Wagner, chief executive of commercial aircraft at Airbus.
Julien Puyou, Airbus head of widebody programme, described the first flight as “a triumph of pioneering spirit and collective determination” since the A350F programme was launched in 2021.
“Looking back at where we started when we launched the A350F programme, turning a revolutionary composite freighter design into physical reality has been an extraordinary human and industrial journey,” Puyou said.
He pointed to engineering work carried out across Europe and beyond, including development of what Airbus describes as the largest main-deck cargo door in commercial aviation, large-scale demonstrator testing, final assembly, flight-test instrumentation, ground testing and virtual-development simulations.
A350F livery contest winners (L to R): Quinnten and Ellisten Iversen and John Feehan (Photo: Airbus)
Payload drives the A350F design
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350F is designed to carry up to 111 tonnes of payload over a range of as much as 8,700km.
Airbus says the freighter can reduce fuel burn and CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared with competing aircraft in a similar payload-range category. The manufacturer also says the A350F is the first new freighter designed to fully comply with the latest ICAO CO₂ standards.
For Sarah McLaren, Airbus head of widebody and freighter marketing, the aircraft’s payload capability is one of its defining characteristics and separates the freighter from the passenger versions of the A350.
“The operation of a freighter is very different from a passenger aircraft; payload is the key point,” McLaren said. “The largest A350 in our family, the A350-1000, typically carries a payload of around 50 tonnes in a 370-passenger configuration. The A350F can effectively carry more than double that payload, at 111 tonnes, which is a real requirement for that kind of operation.”
McLaren also stressed that operators were involved in shaping the aircraft from an early stage.
“What we can say is that the A350F has been built by Airbus, but really it is designed by the market,” she said.
A350F MSN700 first flight fan zone (Photo: Airbus)
Airbus A350F orderbook reaches 115 aircraft
At the end of August 2026, Airbus had accumulated 115 A350F orders from 14 customers. The manufacturer says that orderbook gives it as much as 59% of the large freighter market.
Etihad Airways is among the customers, with 10 A350Fs on order. Representatives from Etihad Cargo were in Toulouse for the maiden flight.
“I’m very excited to be here today in Toulouse to witness the first flight of the A350 freighter,” said Leonard Rodrigues, vice president of cargo revenue at Etihad.
“The A350 programme is the cornerstone of Etihad Cargo’s ambitious growth, and witnessing this key milestone is a very important step on the path that will lead us to operate 10 of these aircraft in the coming years.”
Crawford Hamilton, Airbus head of freighter marketing, said the growing orderbook also marked Airbus’ return to the dedicated cargo aircraft market.
“Airbus is back in freight again,” Hamilton said.
