Recently heard a schoolhouse rumor that FedEx has an order for 12 A350s. Schoolhouse rumors are the best

https://simpleflying.com/cathay-paci...-a350-flights/

I think your rumor mill just broke

Single pilot during etops legs...coming a little sooner than anticipated.

I realize I posted a FedEx rumor with a Cathay link…attempting to infer that it may all be related.

Airbus is rumored to be considering an A350F program, but until that announcement I wouldn’t expect an official aircraft order announcement. The A350F would supposedly be based on the A350-900 and would be a competitor to the B777F. For that reason it seems unlikely that FedEx would purchase the aircraft. It’s a larger aircraft than I believe is needed for it to be an MD-10/11 replacement.

That would be awesome. I love the A350.

The 330F program took five years to get certification..... They better get cracking on the 350F.

I don’t know of a single schoolhouse rumor I’ve heard that has come true.

I was surprised to see Lufthansa admit that a requirement for single-pilot operations was that the aircraft must be able to handle any situation without pilot input for 15 minutes and that the A350 can not do that so they’ve decided to end their push for this.

The dorks over at Airliners.net seem to think an A350F wouldn’t make an appearance until the last half of this decade.

I could easily see FedEx working a package deal w/ Airbus that might include some A350F orders in exchange for the company providing 1.) an Airbus 321F NEO derivative to replace aging 757s at FedEx or 2.) A321F P2F CEO airframes for FedEx in exchange for A350 order.

Airbus needs to sell at least 50 A350s to justify the program.

Airbus A321F NEO or XLR would be a respectable 757 replacement, with comparable weight, range, cargo capacity, and other performance specs. However, it doesn’t exist yet, either. A321 P2F conversions are ramping up, but that aircraft has anemic performance specs compared to a 757F. They’re cheap, though.

BC (Before COVID) I heard the rumor that A330s/A321s had been approved by the BOD as a fleet renewal for the MD-11/757.

I could see the A321s being a good 757 replacement as the bellies are containerized as opposed to bulk loading the 757. Takes a LONG time to bulk load a 757 Belly.

Have a hard time believe the company would want to add another Airbus fleet to replace the MDs though, whether it is the A330 or A350. The 777X Freighter (Based on the 777-8) is being pitched to QATAR as they looking at a fleet renewal. I believe for both the A350 and 777X they would enter into service in 2025. Why would we add the complexity and cost of an additional fleet, specially one that flies International routes? Of course FDX like all airlines loves a good deal. Further, wingspan lengths are always an issue with us. I haven’t looked at the 777X, but folding wing tips would seem to address/help that issue.

A bit amusing. Delta guys seem to think an A350 order is coming and the UPS guys are talking about it as well with there CEO talking of a fleet renewal for their MDs.