First A350-1000ULR Awaits Flight Tests Before Delivery to Qantas

A jet designed to top charts as the world’s longest-range passenger aircraft has entered its final assembly phase. Airbus confirmed that the first A350-1000ULR, built for Qantas under Project Sunrise, is now taking shape in Toulouse as engineers attach the wings, tail, and landing gear ahead of engine installation and test instrumentation.

The aircraft will undergo flight testing in 2026 before its scheduled delivery in late 2026 and entry into service the following year.

Project Sunrise, first announced in 2017, represents Qantas’s long-standing ambition to operate nonstop flights from Sydney to both London and New York; routes they call aviation’s “final frontier.” After calling on multiple manufacturers, Qantas selected the Airbus A350-1000 and placed an order for 12 aircraft in 2022. The new aircraft’s design includes a 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank, extending its endurance to nearly 22 hours and allowing direct connections from Australia’s east coast to Europe and North America for the first time.

Beyond the gas, long-haul routes pose another problem: comfort. The A350-1000ULR will carry just 238 passengers, far fewer than the standard A350 configurations with more than 400 seats, to leave room for a new “Wellbeing Zone” between the premium economy and economy cabins. This will provide space for stretching and movement during the trip. First-class suites will offer fully enclosed privacy with lie-flat beds and personal wardrobes.

“This is an aircraft that will change what’s possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel,” said Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson. “Our teams are incredibly excited for the arrival of the first aircraft late next year, a landmark moment for international aviation.”

FMI: www.qantas.com