Korean Air Switches A350-1000 Deal to Freighter Variant

‍TOULOUSE — Korean Air (KE) converts seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F, the "world’s only all-new large freighter."

“Korean Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “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.”

With fuselage length and capacity optimized around industry standard pallets and containers, the A350F boasts the largest main deck cargo door in the business.  It has a 46-ton lower take-off weight than the rival variant because more than 70% of the airframe is composed of modern materials.  Additionally, the A350F will be the only freighter aircraft to completely comply with the ICAO's new CO₂ emissions regulations, which will take effect in 2027.

About the A350F

The A350F, which is still in development, can travel up to 4,700 nautical miles or 8,700 kilometers and can carry a cargo of up to 111 tonnes.  

The aircraft, which is powered by the most recent Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, would reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 40% when compared to aircraft of the same payload-range from prior generations. By the end of September 2025, 63 customers worldwide had placed 1,445 orders for the newest wide-body A350 Family, including 65 for the brand-new A350F from 10 cargo carriers and one lessor.

This now includes 20 A350-1000s, seven A350Fs, and six A350-900s, with the first two already delivered.  In addition, the airline has outstanding orders for 39 A321neo single aisle planes—that's a total of 33 A350s.