Kalitta Air, a US cargo airline that operates an exclusively Boeing fleet, is reportedly behind an undisclosed order for eight Airbus A350F freighters placed in August, according to Reuters.
Three people familiar with the transaction identified the Michigan-based carrier as the customer, the news agency reported on October 9. However, Kalitta denied having made a final decision on the aircraft.
“Kalitta Air is evaluating the Airbus A350F platform as part of our long-term fleet planning,” an airline spokesperson told Reuters.
The company added that it remained in the evaluation phase and had no aircraft order to announce. Airbus declined to comment on the identity of the customer.
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The European manufacturer recorded a firm order for eight A350F aircraft on August 31 without identifying the buyer. The transaction increased the freighter's order total from 107 aircraft at the end of July to 115 at the end of August.
If confirmed, the agreement would introduce Airbus aircraft to a company whose cargo operations have relied on Boeing 747 and 777 freighters.
Founded in 2000 by Conrad “Connie” Kalitta, the airline operates scheduled cargo services and charter flights for commercial and government customers, including the US Department of Defense and the US Postal Service.
Kalitta was the launch operator of the 777-300ERSF
The potential A350F order comes just over a year after Kalitta introduced another large freighter type, the Boeing 777-300ERSF.
The airline received its first two aircraft in September 2025, becoming the launch operator of the passenger-to-freighter conversion developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The deliveries were part of a seven-aircraft commitment arranged through leasing company AerCap, with the converted 777s intended to gradually replace part of Kalitta's Boeing 747 fleet.
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October 09, 2026
October 09, 2026
Known as the “Big Twin,” the 777-300ERSF can carry approximately 100 metric tons of cargo, slightly less than the purpose-built Boeing 777F, which has a maximum payload of about 102 tons.
However, the converted aircraft offers 811 cubic meters of cargo volume, approximately 25% more than the 777F. This makes it particularly suitable for relatively light, bulky shipments, including e-commerce and express freight, where available space can be more important than maximum payload.
Conversion also offers a potentially lower acquisition cost than purchasing a new factory-built freighter. The economics depend on the price of the used passenger aircraft, conversion costs and leasing arrangements.
The A350F would offer Kalitta a different combination of capabilities. Airbus advertises a maximum payload of 111 metric tons and a range of approximately 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km) at that weight.
The two aircraft could therefore serve different cargo requirements, although Kalitta has not indicated whether any potential A350Fs would replace existing freighters or expand its fleet.
Airbus prepares A350F for service in 2027
The A350F completed its maiden flight on September 29, 2026, from Toulouse, France. Airbus plans to use two test aircraft for a certification campaign expected to involve approximately 400 flight hours.
The manufacturer currently targets entry into service in the second half of 2027, following delays to the program's original schedule.
The A350F competes with Boeing's forthcoming 777-8F in the market for new-generation large freighters. Both aircraft are intended to offer greater payload capacity and lower fuel consumption than older cargo aircraft.
Kalitta's possible order would add another major US cargo operator to the A350F customer base. Atlas Air placed a firm order for 20 aircraft in March 2026, becoming the program's largest customer.
