What Happened
Australian Carrier Expands Ultra-Long-Haul Capabilities
Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed a historic 24-hour nonstop test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, setting a new record for commercial aircraft testing. The flight is part of Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise programme, which aims to operate some of the world’s longest nonstop commercial routes. The aircraft, specially configured for ultra-long-haul operations, will have a low-density cabin with just 238 seats. Qantas plans to begin selling tickets for nonstop Sydney-London flights in early 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin later that year. This development was first reported by AeroTime and Simple Flying.