What Happened
Non-Stop Toulouse To Melbourne Flight Tests Ultra-Long-Range Capabilities
Airbus has commenced the first long-endurance test flight of Qantas’ A350-1000ULR aircraft, flying non-stop from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France to Melbourne Airport in Australia. The 17,000-kilometer flight is part of the A350-1000ULR’s flight test campaign, aiming to assess various systems and collect data on the journey. Qantas has ordered 12 bespoke A350-1000ULR aircraft, with the first delivery expected in April 2027. The aircraft features a rear center fuel tank, increasing its range by about 1,000 nautical miles. This development was first reported by AeroTime.