Key facts
- Airbus completed the maiden flight of its A350F freighter on Tuesday.
- The A350F is a windowless version of the A350 long-haul jet.
- The freighter is expected to enter service in 2027.
- The A350F will compete with Boeing's 777 series freighters.
Airbus successfully conducted the maiden flight of its A350F freighter aircraft on Tuesday, a move aimed at challenging Boeing's long-standing dominance in the air cargo market. The windowless freighter, a variant of the A350 long-haul jet, took to the skies for a four-hour test flight from Toulouse, France. This flight marks the beginning of a nine-month certification process, with the aircraft slated to enter service in 2027. The A350F is designed to compete directly with Boeing's 777 series freighters.