- Airbus A350-1000ULR has successfully completed a 19-hour nonstop test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne, landing on 24 July 2026.
- The flight attracted significant attention, becoming the most-watched flight globally with over 67,000 people tracking its journey.
- Qantas plans to commence non-stop Sydney-London flights using the A350-1000ULR in October 2027.
- The A350-1000ULR is designed for ultra-long-haul operations, capable of flying for close to 20 hours.
- This test flight is part of a 75-80 hour certification campaign for the A350-1000ULR ahead of Qantas's commercial launch of Project Sunrise routes.
- The aircraft is expected to operate on routes up to 22 hours nonstop with a specially designed fuel tank.
Airbus's A350-1000ULR successfully completed its inaugural test flight, landing in Melbourne after a 19-hour, 13-minute journey from Toulouse. This flight is pivotal for Qantas's Project Sunrise, which aims to connect Australia directly to London without fuel stops, with operations expected to commence in October 2027.45
The aircraft, configured for ultra-long-haul travel, can remain airborne for nearly 20 hours. It is equipped with a 20,000-litre fuel tank and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, allowing it to cover the 17,000 km distance between Sydney and London.
Interest in the flight was immense, with over 67,000 people tracking its progress, making it the most-watched flight globally on that day. Qantas's chief technical pilot, Alex Passerini, noted that the return flight to Toulouse will take 23 hours as the crew tests various systems.3
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft, each configured with 238 seats, a departure from the standard 300-plus seats on other models. The first aircraft, named Vega, is expected to be delivered in April 2027 and will undergo further testing before entering commercial service.
This test flight is part of a broader 75-80 hour certification campaign for the A350-1000ULR, which is crucial for Qantas's ambitious plans to revolutionize long-haul travel.6
“Over 67,000 people tracked the A350-1000ULR's 17,000km test flight, making it the world's most-watched flight on Friday. The aircraft's 20,000-liter fuel tank enables flights up to 22 hours, and Qantas expects its first livery-painted delivery in April 2027.”
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