Airbus' A350F freighter, the first of two test aircraft (MSN 700), completed its maiden flight on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, taking off from Toulouse Blagnac Airport shortly after 10:30 a.m. local time.

The flight opens a roughly 400-hour flight-test campaign as Airbus works toward certification of the new freighter, which is targeted for 2027.

Based on the A350 platform but purpose-built for cargo, the A350F is designed to carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes. Airbus says the aircraft is intended to burn about 20 percent less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide than the aircraft it is designed to replace.

Source: Airbus