Airbus A350F prototype rolls out in cargo box livery ahead of October first flight

Airbus has unveiled the first livery on its A350F cargo freighter. The prototype, MSN 700, appeared in the scheme earlier this month ahead of a first flight planned for October 2026.

The design came from a contest that opened in October 2022 and drew proposals from more than 4,000 people. Winners were announced at the 2023 Paris Air Show, and the chosen theme was a cardboard box. Two variants were produced, each drawing on different parts of that idea in a way Airbus said worked together. The aircraft is painted almost entirely in the brown associated with shipping cartons, with the labels, tape and logos normally seen on packaging reproduced on the airframe.

Cassian Koshorst, Airbus corporate design manager, was in charge of combining the two winning entries. He described the concepts as close to one another but each leaning toward particular details.

The A350F is the newest cargo aircraft in the Airbus range. Its roll-out marks a step toward the start of flight testing later this year.