The Trent XWB-97 Has 4.5 Million Flight Hours Before The GE9X Carries Its First Pound Of Freight

Airbus is using the first test flight of its A350F freighter to put pressure on Boeing’s long-anticipated next generation of cargo jets, and one engine detail is at the center of the argument. The Airbus A350F, based on the A350-1000, flew for 4 hours 10 minutes in late September, reaching 25,000 feet, with special flight test instrumentation. It uses the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, already backed by 4.5 million flight hours. Airbus says this delivers up to 40% lower fuel burn and CO₂ versus competitor payload-range peers, and that the aircraft will meet the latest ICAO CO₂ standards first. The range targets reach 4,700 nm and payload 244,700 lbs, with a second prototype entering paint in 2026. Meanwhile, Boeing’s GE9X-based 777-8F/777X path remains tied to certification timelines.