[Aviation Insight] Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR is set to undertake a landmark 22-hour nonstop test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne later this month, marking the longest mission in the aircraft’s certification campaign. Covering roughly 17,000 kilometers, the flight will closely mirror the distance of Qantas’ future Sydney–London Project Sunrise route and provide Airbus with valuable real-world performance data ahead of the aircraft’s entry into service.
The aircraft, known as MSN707, is the first of 12 specially modified A350-1000ULRs ordered by Qantas. Equipped with an additional fuel tank and carrying around five tonnes of flight-test equipment, the jet will collect extensive data on systems, fuel consumption, cabin performance and endurance during the marathon journey. The flight is expected to account for more than a quarter of the aircraft’s total certification testing hours.
The test represents a major milestone for Project Sunrise, Qantas’ plan to launch nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York. Scheduled to enter service in 2027, the aircraft will feature just 238 seats across four cabins, including First Class, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, along with a dedicated wellbeing zone for passengers. Qantas hopes the new aircraft will redefine ultra-long-haul travel by connecting Australia directly with major global cities without intermediate stops.
