The first Airbus A350F freighter test aircraft has completed its maiden flight, marking the start of a more than nine-month flight-test campaign for the new wide-body cargo aircraft, Airbus reported.
The aircraft, MSN 700, flew for four hours and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. It was equipped with flight-test instrumentation and operated by a dedicated Airbus flight-test crew.During the flight, the crew conducted initial tests of the aircraft’s airworthiness, flying characteristics and basic systems, Airbus said.
The second test aircraft, MSN 701, is in the final stages of assembly and is expected to enter the paint shop in the coming weeks.
The A350F is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and is designed to offer up to 40% lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions than competing freighters with a similar payload and range, according to Airbus.
The aircraft is also the first new freighter designed to fully meet the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) CO2 emissions standards, Airbus said.
As of the end of August 2026, the A350F had secured 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers and accounted for up to 59% of the large freighter market, according to Airbus.
