Qantas A350-1000ULR Completes Nonstop 19-Hour Test Flight From France To Australia

Crystal Travel | Travel News | 24 July 2026

Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed an almost 20-hour nonstop test flight covering nearly 17,000 kilometres from France to Australia, marking another major step towards the launch of direct Sydney–London services in 2027.

Ultra-Long-Range Aircraft Lands In Melbourne

The Project Sunrise test aircraft flew nonstop from Airbus' manufacturing facility in Toulouse to Melbourne, completing the journey in approximately 19 hours and 13 minutes. The aircraft covered close to 17,000 kilometres before touching down in Australia on Friday, 24 July.

It was the first time the new A350-1000ULR had landed on Australian soil. The journey was not a passenger service, but an important part of the aircraft's ongoing testing and certification programme. Four Airbus flight-test pilots and five flight-test engineers were on board to assess the aircraft's performance and monitor its systems throughout the exceptionally long journey.

Special Fuel System Tested During Flight

One of the most important systems being examined was the aircraft's additional 20,000-litre rear-centre fuel tank. The specially developed tank and redesigned fuel system will allow the A350-1000ULR to operate commercial flights lasting up to 22 hours without stopping.

The aircraft is fitted with more than 1,000 specialised sensors monitoring areas including fuel flow, fuel temperature, oxygen concentration and cabin conditions at different stages of flight. Airbus is expected to use the collected data to support European aviation certification and prepare the aircraft for commercial operations.

The test aircraft completed its maiden flight in Toulouse on 2 June 2026, after which Airbus began a two-month campaign involving around 80 hours of flight testing, alongside extensive checks of the new fuel system, cabin cooling equipment and other redesigned components.

Sydney To London Flights Planned For 2027

Qantas plans to introduce nonstop flights between Sydney and London from October 2027. The airline says the service will become the world's longest nonstop commercial passenger route, potentially saving travellers up to four hours compared with the fastest available one-stop journeys. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in February 2027.

Sydney to New York has been confirmed as the next Project Sunrise route, although Qantas has not yet announced a launch date. The carrier has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft for its future ultra-long-haul network, with the first, named Vega, expected to be delivered in April 2027.

A350-1000ULR Passenger Comfort

<h2><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Lexend,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Aircraft Designed Around Passenger Comfort</span></span></span></span></span></span></h2>

Aircraft Designed Around Passenger Comfort

Despite its size, the A350-1000ULR will carry only 238 passengers, giving it the lowest seating density of any Airbus A350. The four-cabin layout includes six enclosed First suites, 52 Business suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy seats.

Qantas has also developed a dedicated Wellbeing Zone between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, where passengers can use stretch handles, follow guided movement programmes and access a hydration station during the flight. Cabin lighting, meal timings and seating layouts have been developed using research into sleep and circadian rhythms, aimed at helping passengers manage the physical effects of spending almost an entire day in the air.

Further Testing Still Required

The test aircraft is scheduled to leave Melbourne for Toulouse on Monday, 27 July, with two Qantas pilots joining the Airbus testing team for the return journey as further aircraft systems are assessed.

Although further certification work remains, the successful France-to-Australia flight represents an important step towards Qantas' ambition of connecting the UK and Australia with a single uninterrupted passenger flight.

Travellers keen to be among the first to experience the new nonstop service, or looking to book their next trip to Australia in the meantime, can speak to Crystal Travel's travel agents for the latest guidance and booking options.