Airbus Begins Landmark 22 hours Nonstop A350-1000ULR Test Flight from Toulouse to Melbourne.

Key Highlights and Previous Developments 

• Historic test flight: Airbus has launched the first nonstop A350-1000ULR test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne, marking the longest mission yet in the aircraft's certification program and a major milestone for Qantas' Project Sunrise.
• Project launched in 2017: Qantas unveiled Project Sunrise in 2017, challenging aircraft manufacturers to develop an airliner capable of flying nonstop from Australia's east coast to London and New York. Airbus ultimately won the competition with the A350-1000ULR.
• Airbus selected in 2022: In May 2022, Qantas placed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft specifically designed for Project Sunrise.
• First aircraft rolled out in April 2026: Airbus unveiled the first completed Project Sunrise aircraft before beginning its flight-test campaign.
• Maiden flight completed in June 2026: The first A350-1000ULR, MSN 707 (F-WULR), completed its maiden flight on June 2, 2026, beginning certification testing.
• Purpose-built for ultra-long-haul operations: The aircraft features an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank, increased maximum takeoff weight, and other optimizations that extend its range to around 18,000 km (11,160 miles), enabling flights of up to 22 hours.
• Certification milestone: The Toulouse–Melbourne flight is the longest test sector flown by the aircraft to date and is intended to validate performance during an ultra-long-range mission before certification.
• Delivery delayed to 2027: Qantas now expects to receive its first A350-1000ULR in April 2027, after Airbus pushed back deliveries because of supply chain challenges.
• Commercial launch planned for October 2027: Qantas intends to inaugurate Sydney–London nonstop service in October 2027, followed by Sydney–New York, creating the world's longest scheduled commercial passenger flights.
• Passenger-focused cabin: Each aircraft will carry just 238 passengers in a four-class layout and feature a dedicated Wellbeing Zone, circadian-rhythm lighting, and other measures designed to reduce fatigue and jet lag on flights lasting more than 20 hours.
• A new era of nonstop travel: Once operational, Project Sunrise will allow Qantas to offer the first nonstop connections between Australia's east coast and Europe or North America, eliminating intermediate fuel stops and significantly reducing overall travel time.

Airbus has launched a historic nonstop test flight of its first A350-1000 Ultra Long Range (ULR) aircraft, flying from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne, Australia on one of the longest missions ever undertaken by the manufacturer.

The aircraft, registered F-WULR (MSN 707) and operating under the callsign AIB35LR, departed Toulouse-Blagnac Airport late on July 23. Covering approximately 10,500–10,560 miles (16,900–17,000 km), the journey is expected to last around 22 hours, with arrival in Melbourne scheduled for the morning of July 24 local time.

During the flight, the aircraft cruised at approximately 35,000 feet over Europe at a ground speed exceeding 620 mph (1,000 km/h), aided by favorable tailwinds.

First Aircraft for Project Sunrise

MSN 707 is the first of 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft Airbus is building for Qantas as part of the airline's ambitious Project Sunrise program, which aims to connect Australia directly with some of the world's most distant cities.

Compared with the standard A350-1000, the ULR variant incorporates several significant modifications, including:

• An additional rear centre fuel tank providing around 20,000 litres of extra fuel capacity.
• A higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).
• Optimized systems for extended-duration operations.

These enhancements increase the aircraft's range to approximately 11,160 miles (18,000 km), allowing nonstop flights lasting up to 22 hours.

Longest Certification Flight Yet

The Melbourne mission represents the longest flight in the aircraft's certification campaign to date.

MSN 707 completed its maiden flight on June 2 and has since conducted a series of progressively longer test flights. Rather than carrying passengers, the aircraft is equipped with several tonnes of flight-test instrumentation used to collect performance data throughout the mission.

Following its stop in Melbourne, the aircraft is expected to return to Toulouse as Airbus continues the certification program.

A Major Milestone for Qantas

The successful completion of the Toulouse–Melbourne sector marks another important milestone toward the launch of Project Sunrise.

Qantas plans to begin the world's longest scheduled commercial passenger flights with nonstop Sydney–London service, covering approximately 10,573 miles (17,016 km), beginning in October 2027. This will be followed by nonstop flights between Sydney and New York.

The airline is scheduled to receive its first A350-1000ULR in April 2027.

To improve comfort on flights lasting more than 20 hours, Qantas will configure the aircraft with just 238 seats across four cabins and introduce a dedicated Wellbeing Zone, where passengers will be able to stretch, hydrate and move around during the journey.

Once the fleet enters service, the A350-1000ULR will enable the first true nonstop connections between Australia's east coast and key destinations in Europe and North America, eliminating traditional refueling stops and reshaping ultra-long-haul air travel.

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