Tracking the A350F development

A350F JOURNEY

Welcome to the official hub, tracking the making of the A350F. This is your front-row seat to follow the journey of our new generation freighter aircraft, from manufacturing across Europe and behind-the-scenes engineering to the first flight and rigorous test campaigns.

Bookmark this page to stay updated on future production milestones, exclusive videos, news and customer orders.

Read our A350F stories

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The A350F in pictures

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - in flight

    A350F MSN700 First flight - in flight

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - in flight

    A350F MSN700 First flight - in flight

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

    A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

    A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

    A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

    A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

  • A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

    A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

  • A350F MSN700 First flight crew boarding

    A350F MSN700 First flight crew boarding

  • A350F MSN700 First flight crew boarding

    A350F MSN700 First flight crew boarding

  • A350F MSN700 First flight crew

    A350F MSN700 First flight crew

Watch the videos of the A350F

Latest A350F news & orders

Read all A350F press releases

Key capabilities of the new freighter

A350F AT A GLANCE

111 tonnes payload capability

Accommodates all standard ULDs, pallets and large modern aircraft engines.

Up to 40% lower fuel burn

Reduces fuel burn and CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared to current in-service competition.

Industry's largest cargo door

Features a 4.3-metre-wide main deck door engineered with advanced carbon-fibre composites. 

Next generation freighter

A350F FAQ

Find key answers regarding the A350F programme, manufacturing journey and flight test campaign.

When was A350F first flight?

The A350F took off for the first time on Tuesday 29 September 2026 from Toulouse, France. 

How long is the A350F flight test campaign and how many test aircraft are involved?

The A350F global certification flight test campaign will take place over the next 9 months and involves two complementary test aircraft. Together, they will complete 400 hours of flight tests to validate the freighter's performance and systems. 

The testing operations are divided between the aircraft:

  • MSN700 will focus on handling qualities, autopilot systems and performance. This aircraft has been equipped with a specialised tail skid and bumper to protect the structure (from a potential contact with the runway) during the take-off performance tests.
  • MSN701, meanwhile, will focus on system-related testing, including air conditioning, water & waste and comprehensive smoke detection testing. MSN701 will also perform the hot and cold weather campaign as well as visiting customers.

Learn more about it

Where is the A350F manufactured and assembled?

Building the A350F is a global endeavor with deep European roots. Major aerostructures travel by air, land and sea across four home Airbus nations before reaching final assembly: 

  • Filton & Broughton, UK: Engineered and produced the large-scale composite wings.
  • Getafe, Spain: Manufactured the massive 4.3-metre-wide main deck cargo door. 
  • Bremen & Hamburg, Germany: Assembled critical fuselage sections and internal cargo loading systems. 
  • Toulouse, France: Performed final assembly, systems integration and flight line preparations. 

Why does the A350F test aircraft feature a custom packaging design?

The livery on the first A350F is the result of a public design competition organised by Airbus. Merging two winning concepts inspired by cargo packaging boxes, the design was brought to life in the paintshop using custom paint techniques and adhesive films to adapt to the freighter's dimensions while meeting strict weight requirements.

Find out more about the livery contest here

Read the full story: Unpacking the A350F's new livery

Where can I find A350F technical specifications?

Discover full product features, payload options and performance metrics on our dedicated commercial aircraft website.

Where can I find official A350F press releases and order updates?

All major commercial milestones, customer order announcements and press releases are published directly on this hub under the latest news section. Bookmark this page to track growing market adoption and fleet updates from cargo operators worldwide. 

Find out all press releases about the A350F here

How will the global air freight market evolve over the next 20 years?

According to Airbus' Global Market Forecast (GMF), the worldwide freighter fleet is expected to grow by 45% by 2044, driven by expanding e-commerce and the need for resilient global supply chains. Driven by a 3.3% annual increase in air freight demand, the market will require 2,605 additional freighters over the next two decades, including 935 new-build aircraft like the A350F. 

Read the full forecast: Discover the Global Market Forecast for freighter fleet 

A closer look at the A350F stories

Following its successful first flight on 29 September, the A350F has entered a rigorous flight test phase. Over the next 9 months, a 400 hour flight test campaign will take place to   validate the performance and capabilities.

Manufactured across Europe, the new generation freighter is brought together at the final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse. Read our stories to learn more about this aircraft.

A350F first flight: new freighter aircraft takes to the sky

A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

A350F MSN700 First flight - Take off

29 September 2026 - The first A350F aircraft – MSN700 – took to the skies for the very first time. This flight marked the beginning of the planned 9 month / 400 flight hour test campaign.

Read the full story 

Countdown to A350F first flight: Preparing for the sky

A350F first flight rehearsal in simulator

A350F first flight rehearsal in simulator

14 September 2026 - The Airbus A350F is advancing towards its first flight. Flight test teams are currently validating the freighter's unique aerodynamics and bespoke systems through extensive 'Virtual First Flights' in the simulator, alongside critical ground checks such as smoke detection testing and anemometry calibration. Discover the meticulous preparation and engineering milestones leading up to the 400-hour flight test campaign.

Read the full story 

Unpacking the A350F’s new livery

A350F MSN700 - roll out

A350F MSN700 - roll out

02 September 2026 - The first A350F is officially painted! The new livery of the first Airbus A350F is the result of a public design competition, merging two winning concepts inspired by cargo packaging boxes. Bringing this design to life required major technical innovations in the paintshop, using a combination of paint and adhesive films to adapt to the aircraft's unique dimensions while meeting strict weight requirements.

 Read the full story 

Pushing the A350F to the limits: Ground Vibration Testing

A350F Ground Vibration Test

A350F MSN700 Ground Vibration Test (GVT)

03 August 2026 - The A350F has successfully completed its Ground Vibration Testing! By measuring the aircraft's response to controlled vibrations, engineers validated its structural dynamics and aeroelastic models to clear the way for its upcoming first flight. Discover the cutting-edge engineering behind this crucial milestone!

 Read the full story 

Where is the A350F built?

Production of the first Wingset in Broughton, UK

Production of the first Wingset in Broughton, UK

23 July 2026 - Building the new A350F is a true global endeavor with deep European roots! While components are manufactured globally, the assembly relies on the specialised expertise of Airbus' four home nations: the UK (wings), Spain (rear fuselage and cargo door), Germany (structural framework), and France (engine pylons and final assembly). Discover how these massive components travel by air, land, and sea to be pieced together in Toulouse!

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Engineering the world’s largest cargo door: Inside the A350F

A350F MSN700 cargo Door & Cargo Loader

A350F MSN700 cargo Door & Cargo Loader

22 May 2026 - The A350F is installed! The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the commercial aviation industry, specifically designed to seamlessly load outsized shipments like large aircraft engines. Engineered with advanced carbon-fibre composites, this massive "working door" acts as a critical structural element to optimize weight and withstand the extreme forces of flight. Discover the technical secrets and design challenges behind this record-breaking innovation!

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Testing the A350F’s cargo loading and main deck door actuation systems

‘Cargo Zero’ container loading test showing the wide door clearance

‘Cargo Zero’ container loading test showing the wide door clearance

11 May 2026 - The operational heart of the A350F is being put to the ultimate test in Bremen, Germany! Using massive physical demonstrators like "Cargo Zero", engineering teams are simulating real-world loading scenarios to validate the aircraft's innovative Cargo Loading System and the all-electric actuation of its industry-leading main deck door. Dive into the testing process that guarantees the freighter can safely and seamlessly handle up to 111 tonnes of payload!

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Pushing the A350F to the limits: aircraft ground testing gets underway

A350F MSN700 in FAL

A350F MSN700 in FAL

30 March 2026 - The A350F is undergoing rigorous ground testing to validate its completely new cargo systems before taking to the skies! With major innovations like a new main-deck cargo loading system, an advanced drainage system, and an anti-tail-tipping warning system, Airbus engineers co-designed more than 40% of the serial testing procedures specifically for this freighter. Discover the complex challenges behind these critical tests, from extreme water drainage simulations to max payload testing!

Read the full story