Atlas Air Ditches Boeing for Airbus with Record-Breaking A350F Order

The world's largest operator of Boeing 747 freighters, Atlas Air Worldwide, has made a significant shift in its fleet by ordering 20 firm and 20 option Airbus A350Fs for approximately $7 billion. This massive order is a major win for Airbus, which has been gaining momentum in the large-freighter market.

The Airbus A350F is essentially an A350-1000 with strengthened floor, forward main-deck cargo door, and freight-optimised systems. It carries 109 tonnes of payload, making it comparable to Boeing's 777F but with a 25% better fuel burn than the older 747-400F.

This order is significant not only for Atlas Air but also for the entire aviation industry. With the closure of the 747 production line in 2023 and Boeing's 777-8F delayed until at least 2029, Airbus has seized momentum to become a major player in the large-freighter market.

The A350F will start delivering to Atlas Air in 2029, gradually replacing its 747-400F fleet over the following decade. This move by Atlas Air is expected to have a ripple effect on the industry, with other airlines potentially shifting from Boeing to Airbus as well.