A350F successfully completes maiden test flight

Airbus’ A350F prototype completed its maiden flight today, flying for four hours and ten minutes and reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. Unit 700's inaugural flight in Toulouse (TLS) went to plan with "no complications and all fabulous," Airbus External Communications Manager Victoria Grayling told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57299185" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Unit 700 flew for about four hours on its first test flight. (Courtesy/Airbus)[/caption] Airbus' nine-month and 400-flight-hour test campaign for its two prototype A350Fs aims to support certification and maturity, Grayling said. Tests will cover differences from the A350-1000 passenger variant, focusing on the cargo loading system, main deck cargo door operation, environmental control system, smoke detection, courier area and barrier wall, she said. Unit 700's testing focuses on aerodynamic performance, handling qualities and autopilot calibration, Grayling said. The prototype, equipped with a custom tail skid and bumper, was rolled out of an assembly station at TLS in November 2025 and had its cargo door fitted in April. The aircraft was seen firing up its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines for the first time and performed two rejected takeoff tests last week. The second A350F prototype, unit 701, focuses on system-related testing, environmental controls, hot and cold weather trials, and fire and smoke detection systems, Grayling said. The second prototype is undergoing ground tests, and Airbus expects it to fly this year, she said. Unit 701 is at an advanced stage of final assembly and will enter the paint shop in the next few weeks, according to Airbus. Assembly of unit 701 began in March . View Airbus' video of unit 700's flight below: Missed the #A350F 's first takeoff? We have you covered. Watch the exact moment our new freighter left the ground in Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/2h3m77Hull

— Airbus (@Airbus) September 29, 2026 A350F orders The first A350F delivery is still expected in the second half of 2027 , Grayling confirmed. As of Aug. 31, fifteen customers had firm orders for 115 A350Fs : Atlas Air with twenty units; AviLease , Starlux Airlines , Etihad Airways and Air China Cargo with ten each; CMA CGM , Cathay Pacific and an unidentified customer with eight each; Singapore Airlines and Korean Air with seven each; Turkish Airlines with five; Silk Way West Airlines with four; Air France and Martinair with three each; and MNG Airlines with two. A spokesperson from Singapore Airlines told Cargo Facts that it expects to take delivery of its first A350F from Airbus in the last quarter of 2027. Cargo Facts Symposium 2026, the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23. Find out more and register here .

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