Key facts
- Qantas is testing its new Airbus A350-1000ULR on a 17,000km, 19-hour flight from France to Melbourne.
- The A350-1000ULR is designed for ultra-long-haul routes, with Qantas planning a Sydney to London service.
- The test flight was the most-watched flight globally on flightradar24.com.
- The first Qantas-liveried A350-1000ULR, named Vega, is expected for delivery in April 2027.
- Qantas plans to purchase 12 of these specially configured aircraft.
Qantas is conducting a significant test flight of its new ultra-long range Airbus A350-1000ULR, flying a 17,000km route from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne, Australia. The flight, expected to last 19 hours, is a crucial step towards the airline's ambitious Project Sunrise plans for direct services between Australia and Europe.
The A350-1000ULR is specifically designed to accommodate flights of up to 22 hours non-stop, enabling routes such as the planned Sydney to London service, which is slated to commence in October 2027. This test flight has garnered substantial public interest, with flight tracking data showing nearly 14,000 people monitoring its progress, making it the most-watched flight globally on Friday.
Four Airbus flight test pilots and five flight test engineers are operating the aircraft during this test phase. Following their stay in Melbourne over the weekend, the plane will return to Toulouse on Monday, with two Qantas pilots joining the crew. The test aircraft is not yet in Qantas's standard livery, featuring a tan exterior with company branding and logos on its wingtips.
The first A350-1000ULR to be painted in Qantas's official white and red livery, named Vega, is currently on the assembly line and is scheduled for delivery in April 2027. Qantas has ordered 12 of these specially configured aircraft, each designed with 238 seats, a reduction from the typical 300-plus seats found in other A350-1000 models to accommodate the extended range.
Qantas's Project Sunrise has faced previous delays, with the Sydney to London service's start date pushed back multiple times. The airline initially anticipated a late 2026 delivery of the first configured A350-1000ULR and a service start in early 2027, but Airbus's June announcement confirmed the aircraft delivery in April 2027, impacting the service commencement. While Melbourne and Brisbane were previously considered as potential hubs for direct flights to London and New York City, Qantas has indicated that route adjustments will be made based on customer demand.