ETIHAD AIRWAYS / Airbus A350-1000 / F- WZNP / msn 808

Alain Charpentier
 

SAUDIA ARABIAN / Airbus A321NEO / F-WWAF / msn 13152

Alain Charpentier - TLS
 

DOMESTIC AIRLINES / B737-800 / 7T-VCD

Alain Charpentier - TLS
 

FLEET / NEW LIVERY - Hydro-Quebec / ATR72-600 / F-WWEN / 1825

Alain Charpentier - TLS
 

SPECIAL LIVERY - Iberia Regional / EC-MJP / Bombardier CRJ-1000 - "Cantabria Infinita"

 Alain Charpentier - TLS

Airbus A350F freighter successfully performs its maiden flight

The A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two test aircraft, has completed its first flight. The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for 4 hours 10 minutes reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. The aircraft was flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew.

"This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide. As thelatest development of our highly successful A350 platform, the A350F is a true game-changer for the air cargo market, combining unmatched operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and range," stated Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “I am immensely proud of the extraordinary dedication and hard work of all the teams who have made this achievement possible.” 

The second A350F prototype (MSN 701) is now at an advanced stage of final assembly and will enter the paint shop in the next few weeks.

During this inaugural flight, the crew carried out tests focused on verifying the basic airworthiness, fundamental flying qualities, and ensuring basic systems perform as predicted. This marks the start of an over 9 months flight test campaign.

Designed to be the world's most advanced cargo aircraft, the A350F meets the evolving demands of the global air freight market. Thanks to a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometres and a payload of up to 111 tonnes, it will allow operators to deploy it on international long-haul routes. Made of over 70% advanced materials, the A350F is resulting in a 46 tonnes lighter maximum take-off weight (MTOW) compared to competitor aircraft.

Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% compared to competitor aircraft with a similar payload-range capability. It is the first new freighter to fully meet the latest ICAO's CO₂ emission standards. At the end of August 2026, the A350F had already recorded 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers and it had captured up to 59% market share in the large freighter category.

The aircraft was flown by Captain & Test Pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito, First Officer and Experimental Test Pilot Sylvain Guiraud, together with Test Flight Engineer Ludovic Girard. In addition, Lead Flight Test Engineers Laurent Bussiere and Jaime Angoloti were onboard.
Airbus / Photos: A380_TLS_A350

HAINAN AIRLINES / Airbus A330-900 / F-WWCK msn 2128

Alain Charpentier
 

SPECIAL LIVERY / AIRCRAFT - Airbus A350-1041F / F-WXLD / MSN: 700

 Photos: A380_TLS_A350 

SPECIAL LIVERY - CEBU PACIFIC / A330-900NEO /F-WWYB

Photo: A380_TLS_A350 
 

AIRPORT - Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

Photos: Alain Charpentier
 

FLEET News - Lufthansa's first A350-1000 at the factory in Toulouse with its official livery. ( Msn811/ F-WZNQ / Dusseldorf )

 Photo: A380_TLS_A350

FLEET - The first Airbus A350-900 destined for Aircalin has officially appeared.

  Photo: A380_TLS_A350 

The aircraft, MSN 830, is still without engines.
Delivery is scheduled for December 2026.

The arrival of the A350-900 represents an important asset for AIRCALIN, supporting its main Nouméa-Paris route currently operated with the A330neo.

SPECIAL LIVERY - The new Airbus Flightlab Airbus A380 (2-JAYN)

Airbus and CFM International unveiled the new livery of an Airbus A380 that will be converted into a flying laboratory for testing Open Fan propulsion technology at this year's Farnborough International Airshow

Photo: A380_TLS_A350
 

SPECIAL LIVERY - Starlux / A350-1000 / F-WZHF - AIRSORAYAMA

Alain Charpentier - TLS
 

ORDER - Hainan Airlines Holding orders 40 A320neo

Hainan Airlines Holding has placed an order with Airbus for forty A320neo family narrowbodies, without disclosing which of its airlines will operate the aircraft. 

Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2032. 

Besides Hainan Airlines, other group carriers which already operate A320neo family aircraft include Lucky Air (China), GX Airlines, West Air (China), and Capital Airlines (China).

CH Aviation / Photo Alain Charpentier

SPECIAL LIVERY - Lufthansa's first Airbus A350-1000 features the airline's centenary commemorative livery. Named Deutschland, it will be delivered in the autumn of 2026.

 Photo: A380_TLS_A350

A350-100: Accommodates 300 passengers across four travel classes: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
Lufthansa has ordered 15 A350-1000s, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2030

AIRPORT - Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

Alain Charpentier
 

FRONTIER AIRLINES / A320NEO / F-WWTN - Chloe The WHITE TAILED DEER FAWN

Alain Charpentier - TLS
 

DOMESTIC AIRLINES / ATR72-600 - F-WWEB

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - STARLUX / Airbus A350-1000 / F-WZNI msn 791 "AIRSORAYAMA Silver cs"

Alain Charpentier - TLS