The Airbus A350F first flight took place from Toulouse-Blagnac on Sept. 29, 2026, starting a certification campaign that Airbus expects to run through 2027.
The aircraft, test airframe MSN700 registered F-WXLD, flew for about four hours with Airbus test pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito as captain and Sylvain Guiraud as first officer, according to MiGFlug.
Airbus is targeting entry into service in the second half of 2027, Mobility Engineering Technology reported.
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What Happened on the A350F First Flight
The A350F first flight was set for 10:20 a.m. local time, with Airbus streaming it live on X, MiGFlug reported ahead of the flight. The initial flight validated and cleared the aircraft’s flight-control laws by comparing real-world handling with pre-flight predictions, according to Airbus’ account published by Mobility Engineering Technology.
Airbus described the milestone as the result of work stretching from a vision on paper in 2021 to a flying aircraft, in a statement attributed to Lars Wagner, its commercial aircraft chief executive, by MiGFlug.
The A350F Test Programme
Airbus plans a flight-test campaign of more than nine months and about 400 flight hours using two aircraft, MSN700 and MSN701, MiGFlug reported. The first aircraft will concentrate on aerodynamic performance, handling qualities and autopilot functions as Airbus gradually widens the flight envelope, Aviation A2Z reported.
Airbus says the flight-test programme will support certification activities through 2027, according to Mobility Engineering Technology.
About the A350F
The A350F has a payload of up to 111 tonnes and is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, MiGFlug reported. It combines a fuselage length between the two A350 passenger versions with the A350-1000’s wing, and has a new landing gear geometry for ground handling.
Airbus says it has fitted the largest main-deck cargo door in commercial aviation, according to the company statement published by Mobility Engineering Technology.
FAQ: A350F First Flight
When did the A350F first fly?
On Sept. 29, 2026, from Toulouse-Blagnac, France.
Who flew the A350F first flight?
Airbus test pilots Bernardo Saez-Benito, as captain, and Sylvain Guiraud, as first officer.
When will the A350F be delivered?
Airbus is targeting entry into service in the second half of 2027.
Looking Ahead
Watch for the second flight-test aircraft, MSN701, to join the campaign, for progress toward certification, and for any change to the second-half 2027 delivery target after the A350F first flight. Customers’ delivery slots will depend on how smoothly the roughly 400 test hours go.
Sources
- MiGFlug — Airbus A350F maiden flight: freighter flies at Toulouse
- MiGFlug — A350F first flight set for 29 September
- Mobility Engineering Technology — Airbus completes first flight of new A350F
- Aviation A2Z — Airbus A350F operates its first test flight
