Airbus A350F: First prototype successfully completes maiden flight from Toulouse
Airbus has achieved a development milestone for its A350F cargo aircraft, with the first prototype completing its maiden flight from Toulouse.
The aircraft launches a flight test campaign with an announced duration exceeding nine months.
Maiden flight exceeding four hours for the first prototype
On September 29, 2026, Airbus announced that the first of two A350F test aircraft (MSN 700) had completed its maiden flight. The aircraft, equipped with dedicated flight test instrumentation, flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet.
The flight was conducted by a dedicated Airbus test crew. During this maiden flight, the crew conducted tests to verify basic airworthiness, fundamental flight qualities and basic system operation. This milestone marks the beginning of a flight test campaign lasting more than nine months.
The second prototype (MSN 701) is at an advanced stage of final assembly and is scheduled to enter the paint shop in the coming weeks.
Market positioning in the long-haul air cargo segment
Airbus presents the A350F as the latest development of its A350 platform, intended for the air cargo market. The group indicates a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometers and a payload capacity reaching 111 tonnes, for deployment on long-haul international routes.
Comprising more than 70% advanced materials, the aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Airbus states that it is the first new cargo aircraft to fully comply with the latest ICAO CO₂ emissions standards.
According to Airbus, as of the end of August 2026, the A350F had recorded 115 orders from 14 identified customers.
