The first Airbus A350-1000ULR destined for Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise programme has successfully completed a historic non-stop flight from Toulouse to Melbourne, marking another major milestone in the development of what will become the world’s longest scheduled commercial air services.
The specially configured aircraft arrived in Melbourne today after a flight of approximately 19 hours, covering almost 17,000 kilometres without stopping. Operated by an Airbus flight test crew rather than Qantas pilots, the journey formed part of the aircraft’s certification and validation programme before it enters airline service.
Registered F-WULR, the aircraft departed Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse on the 23rd of July and attracted worldwide attention throughout the flight, becoming the most tracked aircraft on Flightradar24 as aviation enthusiasts followed its progress across Europe, Asia and Australia.
The aircraft is the first of 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft ordered by Qantas for its long-awaited Project Sunrise initiative. The programme will enable the airline to launch non-stop flights from Sydney to London and Sydney to New York, eliminating the need for intermediate fuel stops on two of the world’s longest passenger routes. Current plans are for commercial services to begin in October 2027 following aircraft deliveries and crew training.
Unlike the standard A350-1000, the Ultra Long Range variant has been specially modified to support flights of up to 22 hours. Among the enhancements is an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank, allowing the aircraft to carry significantly more fuel while maintaining Airbus’ renowned efficiency. The modifications have been undergoing an extensive flight test campaign since the aircraft’s maiden flight in June.
When delivered to Qantas, each aircraft will accommodate just 238 passengers, making it one of the lowest-density A350 cabin layouts in service. The cabin has been specifically designed for ultra-long-haul travel, featuring First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, alongside dedicated crew rest areas and a wellbeing zone intended to help passengers move, stretch and remain comfortable during flights approaching an entire day in the air.
Our Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has touched down in Australia for the first time.
— Qantas (@Qantas) July 24, 2026
This journey is part of its two-month flight testing campaign, with the aircraft flying directly from Toulouse to Melbourne in 19 hours and 12 minutes. pic.twitter.com/B8lvCmZER8
Today’s arrival in Melbourne also marked the first time the Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR has landed in Australia, providing Airbus and Qantas engineers with the opportunity to assess the aircraft after one of the longest flights ever undertaken by an Airbus test aircraft. The return journey to France is expected to include additional systems testing under different operating conditions.
For Airbus and Qantas, the successful flight represents another significant step towards redefining long-haul air travel. Once in commercial service, Project Sunrise will connect Australia’s east coast directly with Europe and North America, reducing overall journey times and creating entirely new possibilities for non-stop international travel.