Qantas' Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a 24hr24min flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, setting a new record for the longest commercial flight, as part of Project Sunrise to launch non-stop Sydney-London flights by 2027.
Qantas's new Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for ultra long-distance commercial flights, landed in Melbourne, Australia, after a 19-hour test flight from Toulouse, France. This marks a step towards the Sydney-London direct route, planned for October 2027, despite previous delays.
Qantas has again postponed its direct Sydney to London flights, now slated for October 2027. The delay is attributed to extended wait times for new Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, with the first delivery pushed to April 2027, impacting the previously announced 2027 launch.
Airbus is certifying the A350-1000ULR for non-stop flights between Australia and Europe. The first test flight lasted 3 hours and 43 minutes, reaching over 12,500 meters altitude. Modifications include an extra fuel tank to extend range by 1,850 km, enabling flights up to 22 hours.
Qantas'ın sipariş ettiği 12 adet A350-1000 ULR uçağının teslimatı, parça tedarikindeki aksaklıklar nedeniyle ertelendi. İlk teslimat Nisan 2027'ye sarkarken, bu durum şirketin kıtalararası uçuş stratejisinde takvim değişikliğine yol açtı.
