Qantas Tests Ultra-Long-Range Airbus A350 for Direct UK-Australia Flights
Sophie Turner
Qantas has completed a 17,000km direct test flight of its new Airbus A350-1000ULR from France to Melbourne, marking a significant step towards its Project Sunrise initiative. The aircraft, designed for ultra-long-haul routes, will enable non-stop commercial flights between Australia and the UK.
- An Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a 19-hour test flight from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne, Australia.
- This flight is part of Qantas's 'Project Sunrise' to establish direct commercial routes between Sydney and London.
- The aircraft is specially designed to fly up to 22 hours non-stop and features an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank.
- The first A350-1000ULR with Qantas livery is expected to be delivered in April 2027, with commercial services projected to begin in October 2027.
- The test flight garnered significant global attention, becoming the most-watched flight on tracking websites.
Qantas has taken a major step towards launching its highly-anticipated non-stop flights between the UK and Australia with a successful 19-hour test flight of its ultra-long-range Airbus A350. The aircraft, capable of flying for up to 22 hours without refuelling, completed a monumental journey from France to Melbourne, covering nearly 17,000 kilometres.
The test flight, watched by almost 14,000 individuals worldwide on flightradar24.com, is a crucial milestone in Qantas's 'Project Sunrise', which aims to introduce direct flights between Sydney and London. The A350-1000ULR model, specifically engineered for ultra-long-haul routes, features 238 seats – a lower capacity than other A350 models – designed to optimise comfort and range.
The test crew consisted of four Airbus flight test pilots and five engineers, who will be joined by two Qantas pilots on the return leg from Melbourne. The aircraft itself is not yet adorned with Qantas's distinctive white and red livery, instead sporting a tan exterior with Qantas logos on its wingtips.
Qantas has 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft on order, with the first to be delivered in April 2027. Initially, the airline had projected a start date for Project Sunrise flights in the first half of 2027, but recent announcements have pushed back the anticipated start date to October 2027 due to delays.
Why this matters: This development marks a crucial step towards direct flights between Australia and the UK, potentially revolutionising long-haul travel by significantly reducing journey times and eliminating stopovers. It represents a major advancement in aviation technology and connectivity.
What this means for you: What this means for you: This could eventually offer UK travellers a faster, non-stop option for reaching Australia, cutting down on overall travel time and making the long journey more convenient by avoiding connecting flights.