{"id":67766,"date":"2026-08-20T21:19:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T21:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/67766\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T21:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T21:19:11","slug":"airbus-unveils-first-a350f-in-unique-flying-parcel-livery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/67766\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus unveils first A350F in unique flying parcel livery"},"content":{"rendered":"

European planemaker Airbus has finally unveiled its first A350F freighter<\/a> wearing a special \u2018flying parcel\u2019 paint scheme ahead of its first flight due next month.<\/a><\/p>\n

The aircraft is one of two aircraft that will be used in the certification process before the world\u2019s latest widebody freighter is delivered to its first customers in late 2027. <\/p>\n

Airbus rolls out A350F \u2018flying parcel\u2019 test aircraft<\/p>\n

Revealed at the manufacturer\u2019s Toulouse final assembly site on 19 August, the first A350F (registered as F-WXLD) was rolled out wearing a special delivery box paint scheme. The aircraft emerged from the paint shop wearing a special livery designed to resemble a large delivery package \u2013 an appropriate theme for an aircraft developed specifically for the global air cargo market.<\/p>\n

According to the company, the bespoke livery is the culmination of a competition held by the company for the public to contribute suggestions for the unique livery design. <\/p>\n

The competition attracted around 4,000 entries, from which two were picked as finalists. These two designs were later combined, culminating in the flying parcel livery revealed on F-WXLD.<\/p>\n

The ultimate unboxing! \ud83d\udce6 4,000 entries, 2 winning concepts and 1 unique livery later: our first #A350F<\/a> has rolled out the paintshop.
Congratulations to the winners and #TeamAirbus<\/a> who brought this milestone to life.<\/p>\n

Next stop for the #NewGenFreighter<\/a>: First Flight! \u2708\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/IkLmOSXrzn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Airbus (@Airbus) August 19, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The livery combines a standard \u2018in-house\u2019 design for the tail (incorporating black, grey and white detailing), while the entire fuselage is painted to resemble a delivery box, featuring additional shipping labels along its entire length, as well as \u2018open here for business\u2019 decals over its main cargo door and other below-deck cargo access panels. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, the aircraft features the standard A350 \u2018raccoon mask\u2019 windshield design and large Airbus A350F titles in white across the lower forward fuselage.<\/p>\n

When will the Airbus A350F make its first flight?<\/p>\n

Airbus recently announced that the company aims to fly its highly anticipated freighter aircraft as early as next month \u2013 a key milestone as the manufacturer seeks to make\u00a0progress on its certification pathway<\/a>\u00a0before a planned entry into service by the end of 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The aircraft, which promises a 20% reduction in emissions versus previous-generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability, has racked up orders from numerous airline groups as they seek to modernise their cargo fleet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Image: Airbus<\/p>\n

Certification is likely to take at least 12 months, putting the pressure on Airbus to begin flight testing in time to meet its 2027 deadline. <\/p>\n

Reuters<\/a>\u00a0reported that Airbus now hopes to take the A350F into the sky as soon as September, although the company itself is erring on the side of caution, with a source at the company saying that this could slip to early October. <\/p>\n

That would still put the A350F in the air earlier than Airbus\u2019 previous public guidance suggested and start a certification campaign expected to last more than a year.<\/p>\n

What is the Airbus A350F?<\/p>\n

The A350F is a twin-engine widebody freighter based on Airbus\u2019s already-popular A350 platform. It is designed to carry up to 111 tonnes of payload over distances of up to 8,700km.<\/p>\n

\"AirbusImage: Airbus<\/p>\n

The aircraft incorporates more than 70% advanced materials by weight, helping to reduce its structural weight, and Airbus says the A350F will use up to 20% less fuel and produce up to 20% lower carbon emissions than previous-generation freighters with comparable payload and range.<\/p>\n

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, Airbus says the A350F will meet ICAO\u2019s 2027 CO\u2082 emissions standards and will be capable of operating with up to 50% SAF from entry into service. The company is targeting compatibility with 100% SAF by 2030.<\/p>\n

Officially launched in 2021, the A350F is Airbus\u2019 attempt to regain a significant presence in a dedicated large-freighter market that Boeing has dominated for decades, with its 767F, 777F and latterly its 777-8F cargo variant.<\/a><\/p>\n

Based on the A350-900 passenger aircraft, the A350F features a strengthened floor and a large main deck cargo door, said to be the largest of any main deck-loaded commercial freighter aircraft. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The A350F has a maximum payload of approximately 111 tonnes and is designed around the standard pallets and containers used by the air cargo industry.\u00a0\u00a0Its large main-deck cross-section is particularly important for carrying the same types of cargo pallets accommodated by Boeing\u2019s larger freighters.<\/p>\n

\"AirbusPhoto: Airbus<\/p>\n

The timing of the A350F is also significant because of increasingly strict international emissions standards rendering older freighters obsolete. However, the A350F programme has been delayed due to various factors.<\/p>\n

Airbus had originally planned to introduce the A350F in 2025, but development and industrial issues pushed entry into service back by around two years. <\/p>\n

More recently, delays involving the large cargo door produced in Spain have contributed to pressure on the schedule.<\/p>\n

Who has ordered the Airbus A350F?<\/p>\n

As of July 2026, Airbus had accumulated 107 firm orders for the A350F, giving the manufacturer a substantial backlog before the first example has had its first flight.<\/p>\n

In August 2026, these orders included firm commitments from 14 customers. Those included major commitments from\u00a0Atlas Air,<\/a>\u00a0AviLease,\u00a0Etihad Airways,\u00a0<\/a>Singapore Airlines,\u00a0Starlux Airlines<\/a>, CMA CGM, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, and Air China Cargo, the latter of which ordered four more examples in May, taking its total commitment to ten aircraft.<\/p>\n