(Posted 28th September 2026)
Following extensive ground tests of the world’s most advance cargo aircraft, has Airbus now put a date on the very first flight, set to take off from Toulouse.
The maiden flight is scheduled for 10:20 GMT+2, with Airbus planning a livestream so aviation enthusiasts can watch the event. The first flight follows around five years of detailed planning, component testing, and development work on the new widebody freighter.
Although the Airbus A350F is based on the A350 family, it features a unique configuration that requires extensive flight testing. Airbus says the aircraft combines an A350-900 forward fuselage with an A350-1000 rear fuselage and A350-1000 wings. This creates a different aerodynamic model and affects flight controls, while its modified landing gear also requires specific ground-handling assessments.
The A350F development programme has already progressed through important ground and high-speed tests in Toulouse, France. Airbus is preparing for a certification campaign involving approximately 400 flight hours. The company has used development simulators to prepare pilots and engineers for the aircraft’s unique handling characteristics and the wider testing programme that will follow the maiden flight.
Five crew members are expected on board the first Airbus A350F test flight, including two pilots, one test flight engineer and two flight test engineers. The certification campaign is expected to last around nine months and will use two test aircraft, MSN700 and MSN701. The programme represents an important step toward bringing the A350F into commercial cargo service and expanding Airbus’ presence in the global freighter market.
