Airbus A350 flies 24 hours nonstop from Australia to France

• The flight was the second-most-tracked ever on Flightradar24 with over 3.6 million followers, surpassing Boeing's 2005 distance record of 21,601.7 km
• Qantas has ordered 12 modified A350-1000ULR aircraft capable of connecting Sydney to London in 19-21 hours, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2027
• The aircraft features a specially designed extra fuel tank holding 20,000 liters and seats 238 passengers, with nonstop Sydney-London flights planned to launch in October 2027

Airbus Completes Record 24-Hour Test Flight for Ultra-Long-Haul Service

Airbus successfully completed a 24-hour, 24-minute test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, France, covering 23,075 km (14,338 miles) on an A350-1000ULR aircraft. The flight attracted 3.6 million trackers on Flightradar24, making it the platform's second-most-tracked flight ever, behind only Queen Elizabeth II's 2024 coffin transport.

Key Companies and Project Details:

The test flight represents a critical milestone for Qantas' Project Sunrise, which aims to revolutionize long-haul travel by eliminating stopovers between Australia and Europe. Qantas has ordered 12 specially modified A350-1000ULR aircraft designed to connect Australia's east coast with London and New York in approximately 20 hours.

Technical Specifications:

The aircraft features a specially designed extra fuel tank holding 20,000 liters and accommodates 238 passengers. The first delivery is scheduled for April 2027, with commercial service on the Sydney-London route beginning October 2027.

Market Implications:

This development positions Airbus to capture the ultra-long-haul market segment and challenges Boeing's 2005 record when its 777-200LR flew 21,601.7 km in 22 hours, 42 minutes. The project will transform what historically required a five-day journey on the "Kangaroo Route" into a single 19-21 hour flight.

Timeline:

• Testing campaign: June-July 2026
• First aircraft delivery: April 2027
• Commercial service launch: October 2027

The successful test validates Airbus' ultra-long-range technology and strengthens its competitive position in the premium long-haul aviation market, with significant implications for both manufacturers and airlines targeting point-to-point global connectivity.