Atlas Air to expand into Airbus widebodies with A350F order

Atlas Air, the world’s largest 747 freighter operator, today announced an order for at least twenty A350Fs — its largest order ever and Airbus’ largest for the A350F program to date. Delivery of the full order is expected to begin in 2029 and be completed in 2034, Atlas Air Worldwide Chief Executive Michael Steen told Cargo Facts . It includes options for an additional twenty A350Fs, bringing Airbus’ backlog for the new freighter past 100 units. [caption id="attachment_57295905" align="aligncenter" width="1312"] Atlas Air will use at least some of the new A350Fs for growth. (Courtesy/Atlas Air)[/caption] Atlas intends to use at least the first batch of A350Fs for growth and has not decided whether or how many will replace its older 747-400 freighters, Steen said. Atlas has been working on the deal for around three years as it concentrates on large-widebody growth in line with its One Atlas initiative, he said. Factors such as the delivery timeline, technical characteristics, fuel efficiency and new-generation engines of the A350F were key considerations in selecting the Airbus product, Steen added. Airbus plans to deliver the first A350F in the second half of 2027 , while Boeing plans to deliver the first 777-8F in 2029 . Major Boeing freighter operator The most recent production freighter order by Atlas was in October 2023 for two 777Fs . Those began flying in 2025. But Atlas has also taken delivery of seven other large-widebody freighters of its own over the past two years, including: Three 747-8Fs previously in operation with AirBridgeCargo; Two nose-loading 747-400Fs previously in operation with China Airlines ; and Two nose-loading 747-400Fs previously in operation with Silk Way West Airlines . Atlas Air’s fleet of 113 aircraft includes: Thirty-five production 747-400Fs; Two 747-400BCFs; and Two 747-400BDSFs. The A350Fs are predominantly intended to be operated by Atlas Air, although the group could deploy some to its dry leasing arm, Titan Aviation Leasing, Steen said. Atlas could still purchase more freighters — including new- or current-generation — and will recruit additional pilots in the next few years, Steen said. Atlas is still evaluating 777 conversions, but feedstock aircraft are still too expensive and the on-ramp cost must come down significantly, he added. Growing backlog The Atlas order is the first known A350F deal of 2026. As of Feb. 28, Airbus had orders for eighty-one A350Fs from thirteen customers: Ten units each from AviLease , Starlux Airlines , and Etihad Airways ; Eight from CMA CGM ; Seven each from Singapore Airlines and Korean Air ; Six each from Cathay Pacific and Air China Cargo ; Five from Turkish Airlines ; Four from Silk Way West Airlines ; Three each from Air France and Martinair ; and Two from MNG Airlines . Cargo Facts will present four invaluable events for airfreight professionals in 2026, the next of which is <a class="Hyperlink SCXW113043295 BCX0" style="color: #ff0000;" href="https://cargofactsevents.com/asia/?utm_campaign=22235567-CF%20Asia%202026&utm_source=Editorial&utm_medium=article%20event%20footer&utm_term=CF%20website&utm_content=Learn%20More&utm_source=Weekly+Update+-+Cargo+Facts&utm_campaign=fbe548904b-CF+Update_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_621baa6827-fbe548904b-40083601&mc_cid=fbe548904b&mc_eid=adbe8bb0b4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Cargo Facts Asia on March 23-25. To see the agendas and register for the events, visit CargoFactsEvents.com .

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