South Korea’s flag carrier, Korean Air, has become the latest customer for Airbus’s next-generation widebody freighter, the A350F, by converting its existing order for seven A350-1000 aircraft into the freighter variant.
With this conversion, Korean Air aims to modernise its cargo fleet by taking advantage of the A350F’s superior fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales, Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, said:
“Korean Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators. Its decision to add the A350F to its fleet is a strong endorsement of the aircraft’s outstanding capabilities. The A350F will provide Korean Air with the most efficient solution in the large freighter segment.”
A350F: The Next-Generation Freighter
Currently in development, the A350F has a payload capacity of up to 111 tonnes and a range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km).
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft offers up to 40% reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft in the same payload-range class.
Featuring the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, the A350F is fully compatible with standard pallet and container systems thanks to its optimised fuselage design. Over 70% of its airframe is made from advanced composite materials, making it 46 tonnes lighter in maximum take-off weight than competing models.
The A350F is also the only large freighter that fully complies with ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emission standards set to take effect in 2027.
Korean Air’s Airbus Fleet Status
As of September 2025, Korean Air has placed a total of 33 A350 orders:
- 20 × A350-1000
- 7 × A350F (freighter version)
- 6 × A350-900
In addition, the airline has 39 A321neo aircraft on order, with the first two A350-1000s already delivered.
According to Airbus data, the A350 Family has received a total of 1,445 orders from 63 customers worldwide. Of these, 65 are for the A350F, placed by 10 different cargo operators and one leasing company.
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