Cathay Pacific has placed a firm order for two additional Airbus A350F freighters, increasing its total commitment for the new-generation cargo aircraft to eight. The airline announced the expansion on 27 May, building on an initial order for six A350Fs placed in March 2023.
The March order was part of Cathay Pacific’s plan to replace its ageing Boeing 747 freighter fleet. The new A350Fs will be operated by Cathay Cargo and are scheduled to begin deliveries from 2027. The additional two units will support the airline’s long-term network expansion from its Hong Kong hub.
“We are pleased to further strengthen our fleet with these additional A350F freighters that will provide greater connectivity at our home hub and more choices for our customers,” said Ronald Lam, chief executive of Cathay Pacific.
The A350F is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and has a range of up to 8,700 km with a maximum payload of 111 tonnes. According to Airbus, the airframe is built with more than 70% advanced materials, making it 46 tonnes lighter than comparable previous-generation freighters.
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The aircraft is designed to meet ICAO’s 2027 CO2 emission standards and can operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel at entry into service. As of April 2026, Airbus had recorded 101 firm orders for the A350F from 14 customers worldwide.
The airline’s existing fleet includes A350 passenger variants, and the freighter version shares a high level of commonality with those aircraft. Cathay Pacific operates an extensive cargo network connecting Asia, North America and Europe.
The new order comes the day after another expansion in orders, made by Air China Cargo, which confirmed four more aircraft to its original order.
At the same time, Airbus reportedly warned its customers about further delays in A350 production, including the A350F, whose cargo door is produced in Spain. The first flight of the A350F is still scheduled for the end of this year, with entry into service still planned for 2027.
The A350F competes directly with Boeing’s 777-8F, another next-generation widebody freighter under development. Both aircraft aim to replace older models such as the 747-400F and 777F.
