Korean Air Converts Seven A350-1000 Orders into A350F Freighters

Korean Air, already the sixth-largest cargo airline globally by freight tonnage, has taken a strategic leap into the freighter market by converting seven of its previously ordered Airbus A350‑1000 passenger aircraft into the new Airbus A350F freighter variant, according to an announcement from Airbus on Friday.

This move officially makes Korean Air a launch customer of the A350F, which is scheduled for first delivery in late 2027. To date, Airbus has secured 78 orders for the A350F freighter variant from multiple airlines. By comparison, Boeing has received commitments for more than 50 of its next-generation widebody freighter, the Boeing 777‑8F.

The decision aligns with Korean Air’s desire to bolster its cargo-fleet capabilities. Presently, the airline operates a cargo fleet that includes four Boeing 747-400 freighters, seven 747-8 freighters and twelve Boeing 777-200 freighters.

Korean Air’s overall A350 commitment now stands at 33 aircraft:

20 A350-1000s
7 A350Fs
6 A350-900s (with the first two already delivered)

This reshaped order reflects the airline’s dual commitment to modernizing both its passenger and cargo operations. The A350F, designed with the largest main deck cargo door in the industry and optimized for standard pallets and containers, offers a 46-ton lower takeoff weight than rival freighters thanks to its advanced composite materials

According to Airbus, the A350F will carry a maximum payload of up to 111 tonnes and fly a range of approximately 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), while delivering up to 40% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared with previous-generation widebody freighters.

In converting its order, Korean Air said the repositioning of the aircraft type is part of its “freighter modernisation plan” to strengthen competitiveness on medium and long-haul routes.

Airbus Sales Executive Vice-President Benoît de Saint-Exupéry highlighted the significance of the conversion: “Korean Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators. The decision to add the A350F to its fleet is a very significant endorsement of the aircraft’s unique capabilities.”

For Korean Air, the strategic timing is important. Global air-cargo volumes remain under pressure, and fleet efficiency is now a critical differentiator. The new freighters are expected to replace older jets and bolster the airline’s logistics footprint, especially as Korean Air continues its integration with Asiana Airlines and expands its global network.

By opting for the A350F rather than relying solely on passenger-jet conversions or legacy freighters, Korean Air is signaling a long-term commitment to cargo growth and sustainability. The move also places pressure on competitors—both freight-specialist carriers and other global airlines—to reevaluate their own widebody-freighter strategies in an increasingly efficiency-driven market.

In short, Korean Air’s conversion of seven A350-1000 orders into A350Fs marks a significant milestone in the shift toward dedicated next-generation freighters—and underscores Airbus’s growing foothold in the large-cargo-aircraft segment at a time when Boeing is looking to regain market momentum.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com, Investing.com