- Start
- Jul 29, 202190% CONFIDENCEsource · possible Jul 29, 2021 – Sep 29, 2026
Airbus Board Approves the A350F Freighter
Main competitors
- Boeing 777F · Boeing
Freighter, 102 t payload - range about 4,970 nmi - GE90 engines - 777 family in service since June 1995
Source - Boeing 777-8F · Boeing
Freighter, max payload 118 t - cargo volume 27,056 cu ft (766 m3) - range about 5,000 nmi - GE9X engines - 777X programme first flew January 2020, entry into service expected 2027
Source
Airbus announced with its half-year results on 29 July 2021 that its board had approved development of an A350 freighter derivative, targeting entry into service in 2025 with 20% less fuel burn than twin-engine freighters.
- Airbus said on 29 July 2021, with its first-half results, that following board approval it was adding an A350 freighter derivative "responding to customer feedback for increased competition and efficiency in this market segment"; the release listed "Board of Directors approval for A350 freighter derivative" among its headlines[1]
- AIN reported the A350 freighter would enter service in 2025 but that Airbus had not yet announced a launch customer[6]
- CEO Guillaume Faury said it would burn 20% less fuel than twin-engine freighters, 30% less than trijets and 40% less than quadjets, and would meet ICAO CO2 standards[5]
- The first A350F flew on 29 September 2026, which Airbus's head of widebody programmes Julien Puyou called a journey "from a bold vision on paper in 2021"[3]
- The airport-planning manual now describes the A350F (A350-1000F) as Airbus's first line-built large freighter, built on the A350-1000 platform with more than 98% parts commonality[4]
Notable features
- Range 4,700 nm (8,800 km) with a 109-tonne maximum structural payload and 723 m3 palletised volume; up to 6,000 nm (11,200 km) with a typical maximum volumetric payload[4]
- Maximum take-off weight 319 tonnes; usable fuel 164,088 litres (124,650 kg)[4]
- Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines; Airbus markets at least 20% lower fuel burn than competitor freighters[2][4]
- Largest main-deck side cargo door of any freighter; Airbus describes it as about 35 tonnes lighter than the aircraft it replaces[4]