The first test flight of the A350F took place on Tuesday, September 29, departing from Toulouse, France. The flight, lasting 4 hours and 10 minutes, is the beginning of a nine-month campaign to evaluate the aircraft's flight characteristics and systems before it can be certified for commercial use. During the flight, the aircraft reached an altitude of 25,000 feet, or about 7,600 meters, and was equipped with specialized instruments to assess its flightworthiness, handling, and system performance. This initial flight was not intended to showcase the full commercial capabilities of the aircraft. At the controls were test pilots Bernardo Saez-Benito and Sylvain Guiraud, along with test flight engineer Ludovic Girard. Additional test engineers, Laurent Bussiere and Jaime Angoloti, were also on board. Lars Wagner, general director of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, noted in a press release that this flight marks a significant milestone for the A350F and its global customers. The A350F shares some elements with the existing A350 passenger aircraft but has a unique design tailored for cargo transport. According to Airbus, the front section of the A350F is similar in length to the A350-900, while the rear section and wings are based on the A350-1000. This hybrid design affects the aircraft's aerodynamics and necessitates in-flight testing of its specific handling systems. The first flight was conducted in "Direct Law" mode, a control setting used before the full validation of the aircraft's handling systems. Airbus plans to conduct around 400 hours of test flights using two prototypes. The first aircraft, with serial number MSN 700, will be used to test aerodynamic performance, flight qualities, and autopilot functions. The second prototype, MSN 701, will be used for system testing, including smoke and fire detection, as well as performance in extreme weather conditions. Airbus says the aircraft is nearing the end of its final assembly and will soon be painted. The A350F is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and can carry a maximum payload of 111 tonnes over a range of 8,700 kilometers. Its fuselage is 70.80 meters long and can accommodate up to 30 containers on the main deck and 40 LD3 containers in the lower cargo hold. The lateral cargo door provides a 4.3-meter opening, designed to facilitate the transport of large aerospace components. Airbus claims the A350F consumes up to 40% less fuel and emits 40% less CO₂ compared to similar aircraft, making it the first new cargo plane to meet the latest ICAO emissions standards. As of the end of August 2026, the A350F had received 115 orders from 14 identified customers. Atlas Air placed the largest order so far, for 20 aircraft. The September 29 flight is a key step in the development program, as it provides real-world data after ground tests and simulations. However, certification is still pending before the aircraft can enter service with cargo fleets.