Airbus has successfully completed another test flight of its future A350-1000ULR, an aircraft specifically designed for ultra-long-haul flights. The European aircraft manufacturer flew from Toulouse to Melbourne in 19 hours and 12 minutes, an important milestone before the launch of future non-stop commercial flights between Australia and the United Kingdom.
The aircraft, destined for the Australian airline Qantas, covered nearly 16,900 kilometers without passengers. This flight is part of the "Project Sunrise" program, which aims to open the longest direct commercial routes ever operated.
The Sunrise project is nearing its launch
Airbus plans to deliver the first A350-1000ULR to Qantas in April 2027. The Australian airline, which has ordered twelve of these aircraft, plans to inaugurate the Sydney-London route approximately six months later, thus offering a direct flight between the two cities without a stopover.
The A350-1000ULR was developed to meet the demands of ultra-long-haul flights thanks to its extended range and increased fuel capacity. This program aims to reduce travel times and eliminate layovers on some of the busiest routes between Europe and Australia.
Routes adapted to weather conditions
The route taken during this test flight went over the Indian Ocean, the generally preferred route for connecting Europe to Australia. However, depending on the season and atmospheric currents, future commercial flights may take a different route, notably passing over the Pacific Ocean, the Bering Strait, and Greenland in order to optimize fuel consumption.
With this successful new test, Airbus confirms the progress of its program aimed at pushing the boundaries of commercial aviation. If the schedule is met, the Sydney-London route will become the world's longest non-stop commercial flight in 2027, marking a new milestone in the development of long-haul air transport.
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