A350F scale model at ADEX 2025. Photo: Flying Camera / Shutterstock.com Airbus has taken the next big step in its new-generation cargo aircraft program, with the first A350F freighter taking to the skies from Toulouse.
The aircraft, MSN700, began its maiden flight on Tuesday, September 29, at 10:20 GMT +2, as Airbus opened the flight-test campaign for the new freighter. The flight was streamed live by the manufacturer, attracting attention from aviation enthusiasts and cargo industry professionals.
The A350F has been designed specifically for the air freight market and can carry up to 111 tonnes of payload. Airbus says the aircraft will offer up to 40% lower fuel burn compared with current in-service competition, while also being capable of operating with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
The aircraft used for the first flight is hard to miss. MSN700 has been painted in a beige livery designed to resemble a giant shipping package, complete with labels such as “OPEN HERE FOR BUSINESS.” The design came from a public competition won by Dublin-based graphic designer John Feehan and brothers Quinnten and Ellisten Iversen.
The maiden flight marks the beginning of a much longer testing program. Airbus plans to use two A350F test aircraft, MSN700 and MSN701, during a certification campaign expected to last around nine months.
MSN700 will focus on areas including aerodynamic performance, handling qualities and autopilot systems. MSN701 will be used for system testing, including air conditioning, fire and smoke detection and hot- and cold-weather testing.
The A350F is not simply an A350-1000 converted into a freighter. Airbus says the aircraft combines an A350-900 forward fuselage with an A350-1000 rear fuselage and wings, creating a different aerodynamic model that requires dedicated flight testing.
The aircraft also features the largest main-deck cargo door in the commercial aviation industry, with a 4.3-meter-wide opening designed to accommodate large and outsized cargo, including aircraft engines.
The flight-test campaign will eventually move toward certification in 2027. Airbus has also been preparing the aircraft for real cargo operations, including tests involving containers, pallets and the freighter's cargo-loading systems.