The air cargo market is entering a period of transformation, and Airbus is taking the lead with its newest widebody freighter currently under development: the A350F. Launched in July 2021, the A350F is Airbus’ response to the growing demand for more efficient, sustainable, and capable cargo aircraft. 

Since its market launch, the A350F has won over the trust and commitment of operators: 10 customers have placed  63 firm orders and 36 additional commitments so far, bringing the market share to a remarkable 53% market share as of today.  

A Freighter Born from the proven platform of the A350 passenger aircraft

The A350F draws its strength from the highly successful A350 passenger family, which has become a cornerstone of Airbus’ widebody offerings. With 1,363 A350s sold and more than 655 aircraft currently in service, the mature platform has proven itself across diverse operational environments. The A350 family has accumulated more than 11 million flight hours, consistently operating over 1,000 flights daily worldwide.

Operational reliability has always been a core Airbus value, and the A350F upholds this legacy. The aircraft benefits from the A350’s established 99.5% operational reliability, while its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines — recognized as the most efficient large jet engines currently in service — deliver an industry-leading 99.95% engine reliability. For freighter operators, where schedule adherence is critical to maximizing yield and maintaining cargo supply chain integrity, such reliability offers significant commercial value.

The A350F is not a repurposed passenger jet. Instead, it is a purpose-built freighter, leveraging the A350’s technological advancements while optimizing for the specialized demands of the cargo sector.

Meeting Market Needs and Regulatory Requirements efficiently

The A350F is the only next-generation freighter that is fully compliant with ICAO’s upcoming 2027 CO2 emissions standards. In terms of fuel efficiency, the A350F is designed to burn 40% less fuel compared to the 747F, and 20% less fuel compared to the 777F. As such, less CO2 emissions are achieved when operating a truly modern freighter. 

This is achieved thanks to the fact that the A350F is being made from 70% of advanced materials, including carbon fiber reinforced plastics, titanium, and modern aluminum alloys. These allow the A350F to be approximately 35 tons lighter in Operating Weight Empty (OWE).

These efficiencies have a direct impact on operating costs and emissions — a double-win for cargo operators looking to future-proof their fleets while lowering their carbon footprint. In today’s competitive cargo landscape, where profit margins are tight and sustainability is under increasing scrutiny, the A350F’s advantage in fuel economy will likely prove decisive.

More Capability for enhanced cargo capacity

Beyond its efficiency, the A350F brings unprecedented versatility to the market. Airbus has engineered the freighter to handle not just today's cargo but tomorrow's as well. A standout feature is its Main Deck Cargo Door (MDCD), the largest of any freighter currently on the market. Measuring 175 inches (4.45m) in cut-out width and offering a 169.5-inch (4.3m) clear opening, it is 15% larger than the cargo doors found on both the 777F and 777-8F, and even wider than the famed 747F nose door.

This added space allows the A350F to accommodate all existing and future oversized cargo, including the next generation of ultra-large jet engines, which cannot be loaded on existing large freighters without complex disassembly procedures. With 111 tons of maximum payload capacity, the A350F offers flexibility for all types of cargo, from heavy machinery and outsize freight to valuable e-commerce goods and perishables.

Furthermore, the A350F features a stronger main deck floor than the 777F, enabling operators to transport denser or heavier loads. Combined with the aircraft's 30 main deck pallet capacity and 40 lower deck LD3 container positions, this freighter offers exceptional flexibility and revenue-generating potential.

The First Digital-Native Freighter

In addition to its structural and performance advantages, the A350F is the world’s first digital-native freighter. Airbus has integrated the most advanced connectivity and data systems into the aircraft, enabling predictive maintenance, advanced health monitoring, and real-time flight data analysis. These capabilities are increasingly essential in a world where uptime, operational efficiency, and supply chain transparency are becoming crucial competitive advantages.

Fleet managers can use these digital tools to streamline maintenance, reduce unplanned downtime, and optimize flight operations, providing cargo airlines with significant savings over the aircraft’s service life. The A350F also benefits from over 98% spares commonality and 99% airframe tooling commonality with the A350-1000 passenger version, making it an ideal choice for existing A350 operators looking to diversify into cargo.

Entering the Market at the Right Time

The cargo sector is witnessing robust demand driven by the rise of e-commerce, globalized manufacturing, and the need for resilient supply chains. Meanwhile, existing freighter fleets, particularly 747Fs and older MD-11Fs, are approaching retirement, creating a gap for operators seeking modern replacements.

The aircraft is currently under production with first production milestones reached, with components and major sections being manufactured across Airbus’ global industrial footprint. With the final assembly to begin in the course of2025, the aircraft is set to enter service in the second half of 2027, perfectly timed to meet the growing need for next-generation freighters as airlines phase out older, less efficient aircraft.

Setting the Benchmark for the Future

With the A350F, Airbus is not just filling a market niche; it is setting a new benchmark for freighters. Combining class-leading fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, superior payload capacity, and the industry's most advanced digital capabilities, the A350F is designed to fully meet the requirements of cargo operators and their respective customers on different shipping levels. 

Operators are responding positively to Airbus’ vision of what a modern freighter should be like. As the aviation industry pushes towards more efficient, cost-effective, and flexible operations, the A350F is positioned not only to meet the needs of today but to be best suited to cater for the cargo market of the next decade