On Sept. 29 Airbus flew its A350F freighter for the first time, from Toulouse, France, officially launching its maiden flight after nine months of certification trials. The freighter is an attempt to add more aircraft to the manufacturer’s portfolio, aiming to rival Boeing in global trade.
A350F Flight Test
The freighter was fitted with specialised flight test equipment and was flown by Airbus’s flight test crew, which included Captain and Test Pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito, First Officer and Experimental Test Pilot Sylvain Guiraud, with the help of Test Flight Engineer Ludovic Girard. Other crew onboard were Lead Flight Test Engineers Laurent Bussiere and Jaime Angoloti.
According to Airbus, the aircraft flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet.
Various basic tests were carried out during the flight, which included examining the aircraft systems, airworthiness, and flying qualities. Airbus intends to further its evolution by ensuring the A350F freighter meets global demand for cargo aircraft.
With the freighter’s distance capability of up to 8,700 kilometres and a payload of up to 111 tonnes, Airbus expects the model to be used for international and long-haul journeys.
Compared to other freighters, the A350F is made up of 70% lightweight advanced materials, which are weight-reducing, making its maximum take-off weight (MTOM) 46 tonnes lighter than its competitors, Airbus reports.
Lars Wagner, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, commented on the achievement:
“This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide. As the latest development of our highly successful A350 platform, the A350F is a true game-changer for the air cargo market, combining unmatched operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and range.”
Airbus Pushes For Global Trade
The A350F is set to compete with Boeing’s 777 series in 2027.
Competition for global trade between aircraft manufacturers has been steadily increasing as the demand for air cargo grows. The latest IATA data shows that global demand for air cargo grew by 8.5% year-on-year in June 2026.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh stated that:
“Demand growth outpaced capacity at the global level and in all regions except Latin America and the Caribbean. Demand also grew faster than global trade, supported by high-value technology products, and urgent shipments.”
Airbus has already shown the A350F’s selling point, with 115 aircraft sold and more expected.
What do you think about Airbus’s new freighter? Let us know in the comments.
