The Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for Qantas’ ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights, has completed a nonstop test flight from Australia to France lasting more than 24 hours. The aircraft flew 24 hours and 24 minutes from Melbourne to Toulouse, France, in a major milestone for the program.
Record-breaking test flight
The test flight began July 27, when the aircraft departed Melbourne and flew 23,075 kilometers nonstop to Toulouse. Four Airbus test pilots and five flight-test engineers were aboard, evaluating the aircraft’s systems during the ultra-long-range journey.
The Project Sunrise @Airbus A350-1000ULR has touched down in Toulouse, France after completing a 24 hour 24 minute non-stop flight from Melbourne, Australia.
— Qantas (@Qantas) July 28, 2026
The aircraft flew northeast over the Pacific, over the US and Canada, then across the Atlantic and south over the UK to… pic.twitter.com/mnnXPvfosV
The flight attracted enormous attention from aviation enthusiasts. More than 3.6 million people tracked it on Flightradar24.
Touchdown! ✈️
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 28, 2026
After 24 hours and 23 minutes in the air, the A350-1000ULR has completed the flight from Melbourne to Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/D5gnynjPOh
Built for Project Sunrise
The A350-1000ULR is being developed by Airbus specifically for Qantas’ Project Sunrise program. The aircraft is designed to support nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York, with the Sydney-London route scheduled to launch in October 2027 and Sydney-New York service to follow.
History made.
— Airbus (@Airbus) July 28, 2026
After a 12,460NM (23,075.92 km) / 24 hours 24 minutes direct flight from Melbourne 🇦🇺, the #A350-1000ULR arrives home in Toulouse 🇫🇷.
Watch the journey on @FlightRadar24: https://t.co/tzKbCjsfFM#Ultimate #LongRangeLeader pic.twitter.com/pTjoOuhqpb
To achieve the necessary range, the aircraft features an additional rear center fuel tank with a capacity of about 20,000 liters, along with modifications to its fuel system and other components. The aircraft is designed to fly for up to 22 hours nonstop.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise. Airbus is scheduled to deliver the first production aircraft to the airline in April 2027.
