On June 2, 2026, Airbus’s first A350-1000ULR test aircraft, MSN 707, took off from Toulouse on its maiden flight, beginning the flight-test program for the ultra-long-range jet. The aircraft is being developed for nonstop services linking Australia with Europe and the United States through Qantas’s Project Sunrise network. A subsequent Melbourne-to-Toulouse test flight reportedly lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes, a duration Qantas described as a record for a commercial airliner. That test-flight key stage is distinct from the planned passenger routes, which are expected to take up to about 22 hours.
The A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) is designed for sectors exceeding 16,000 kilometers. Its basic modification is an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank integrated into the fuselage, providing the capacity needed for flights of exceptional duration. Rather than relying on a published precise maximum-range figure, the aircraft’s role is defined by its planned mission: carrying passengers nonstop between Australia and destinations such as London and New York. Eliminating a connection can cut total travel time by up to four hours on some itineraries, though the saving varies with the route and connecting flight.
Testing the Limits
Flight testing is assessing the aircraft’s systems and performance as Airbus prepares the A350-1000ULR for its ultra-long-haul operating configuration. Passenger service will require completion of that program and aviation-safety approval for the aircraft’s increased maximum takeoff weight and long-range configuration. Certification is a basic step between the test aircraft’s maiden flight and the planned commercial launch.
Project Sunrise: A New Era for Qantas
Qantas has selected Sydney to London as the first Project Sunrise route, with service planned to begin in October 2027. The airline expects tickets to go on sale in February 2027 and says the nonstop service could save passengers up to four hours compared with the fastest current one-stop itineraries. Sydney to New York is planned as a subsequent route, expected to join the network in 2028 rather than launch at the same time as London.
Singapore Airlines already operates the smaller A350-900ULR on Singapore to New York. Qantas’s A350-1000ULR combines a larger airframe with the additional fuel capacity required for its longer missions. The airline plans a deliberately low-density cabin of 238 seats across first, business, premium economy and economy. That configuration balances passenger capacity with the payload and range demands of the longest routes. The cabin is also planned to include a dedicated area where passengers can stretch and move during the marathon flights.
Efficiency and Passenger Experience
Airbus says the A350 family delivers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft, citing lightweight materials and aerodynamic design, alongside Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Nonstop flying removes the intermediate airport stop, but routes lasting close to a full day also make cabin comfort, passenger movement and crew management basic to the operating model.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise, building on its experience with nonstop Australia to Europe services such as Perth to London. Airlines are seeking to distinguish themselves through distinctive routes and onboard experiences. Family and legacy in aviation feature in stories such as the journey of a father and daughter flying together for Vueling, reflecting the industry’s developing face.
With its test program and certification work underway, the A350-1000ULR is being prepared for a new category of commercial service: nonstop flights connecting Australia directly with major cities in Europe and North America. The first Sydney to London service, planned for October 2027, would mark the operational debut of Qantas’s Project Sunrise network; Sydney to New York is expected to follow in 2028, subject to the program’s remaining approvals and implementation milestones.
