Qantas is preparing for a major milestone in its Project Sunrise programme, with its first Airbus A350-1000ULR set to fly nonstop from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne as part of ongoing testing ahead of the aircraft’s entry into service. The journey is expected to last around 22 hours and marks the first time the specially modified aircraft will arrive in Australia.
Long-haul testing enters new range
The flight is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on July 24 and forms part of Airbus’ certification programme for the A350-1000ULR, which has been developed specifically for Qantas’ ultra long haul project. Engineers will use the flight to gather performance data before the aircraft enters commercial service. Previously, the aircraft completed a four hour maiden test flight which was said to be highly successful. The aircraft has been modified with an extra rear centre fuel tank, and other engineering changes to extend its range, enabling longer non stop flights.
Project Sunrise to reshape travel
Project Sunrise was first announced in 2017 with the goal of operating nonstop flights from Australia’s east coast to London and New York. The airline selected the Airbus A350-1000ULR for the programme in 2022 and have ordered 12 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2027. According to Qantas, the aircraft will make it possible to connect Sydney directly without stops, reducing overall journey times while introducing cabin features designed for ultra long haul travel.
Qantas has announced London will be the first destination for Project Sunrise services, with flights expected to begin in October 2027. The latest test flight represents another step towards bringing those services into operation.
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