Key facts
- An Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a nonstop test flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France.
- The flight lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes.
- The aircraft covered a distance of 23,075 km.
- The flight is part of Qantas's Project Sunrise.
- Project Sunrise aims for nonstop routes to London and New York from Australia.
An Airbus A350-1000ULR has successfully completed a record-setting nonstop test flight, traveling from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France. The flight duration was 24 hours and 24 minutes, during which the aircraft covered an impressive distance of 23,075 kilometers. This achievement is a crucial component of Qantas's ambitious Project Sunrise, a program designed to explore and implement ultra-long-haul commercial flights. The ultimate goal of Project Sunrise is to enable direct, nonstop routes from Australia to major global cities such as London and New York. The successful completion of this extensive test flight underscores the A350's advanced capabilities and readiness for sustained, long-distance operations, paving the way for potential future commercial services on these demanding routes.