Korean Air is the latest airline to sign for the Airbus A350F (the freighter variant of the A350), with the airline to take seven of the type.
Korean Air will convert seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F.
Currently under development, the A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and will fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometres. 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% when compared to previous generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability.
The airline has ordered a total of 33 A350 aircraft. With the Airbus A350F being added to the mix, the updated order backlog comprises 20 A350-1000s, seven A350Fs and six A350-900s, of which the first two have already been delivered.
In addition, the carrier has outstanding orders for 39 A321neo single aisle aircraft.
In Quotes
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business said:
“Korean Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators,”
“The decision to add the A350F to its fleet is therefore a very significant endorsement of the aircraft’s unique capabilities. The A350F will bring Korean Air the most efficient solution in the large freighter segment.”
Another win for the A350F
It seems Airbus is winning new orders for A350F Freighetre – even if it is at the expense of swapping A350-1000 orders for freighters. Given that Korean Air multisources its fleet and the airline adding 103 Boeing aircraft to its fleet, it seems the airline has the flexiblity to move some its orders around,
At the end of September 2025, the A350 Family had won 1,445 orders from 63 customers worldwide, including 65 for the all-new A350F from 10 cargo carriers and one lessor.
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