​TOULOUSE, FRANCE — In a record-breaking milestone for global aviation, an Airbus A350-1000ULR designated for Qantas’s upcoming 'Project Sunrise' fleet has completed a non-stop test flight lasting 24 hours and 23 minutes. Taking off from Melbourne, Australia, the aircraft touched down at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, making it the longest continuous flight ever completed by a commercial aircraft during testing.
​The flight followed an earlier 19-hour outbound test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne, proving the ultra-long-range capabilities of the specially modified jet before its expected commercial entry in 2027.
​Key Aircraft & Engineering Modifications
​To transform the standard A350-1000 into a Sunrise-capable marathon runner, Airbus incorporated critical design changes:
​Additional Fuel Capacity: Equipped with an additional permanent rear-centre fuel tank holding roughly 20,000 liters of extra fuel.
​Increased Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): Reinforced fuselage and landing gear allow a maximum takeoff weight of 319 tonnes to handle the heavy fuel payload.
​Engine Efficiency: Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines paired with carbon-composite aerodynamic wings for optimal fuel burn.
​What Project Sunrise Aims to Achieve
​Conquering the 'Tyranny of Distance': Project Sunrise aims to connect Australia's east coast (Sydney and Melbourne) directly with London and New York non-stop, cutting total travel time by up to 4 hours by bypassing Middle Eastern or Asian hub layovers.
​Passenger-Centric Design: Unlike standard A350s seating over 300 passengers, Qantas’s ULR configuration will carry just 238 passengers across four classes to maximize personal space and comfort.
​Dedicated Wellbeing Zone: Located between Economy and Premium Economy, the cabin features a dedicated movement space with stretch handles, guided exercise programs, and a hydration station.
Why This is a Great Achievement
​Yesterday's success is a watershed moment, representing a "new dawn" for aviation.
​"Today, we have proven that the final frontier is not a barrier, but a milestone," said Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, upon the aircraft's landing. "This 24-hour flight was about safety, science, and the relentless pursuit of connection. We have shown that we can fly further, more efficiently, and with a greater focus on well-being than ever before."
​The test flight did not just test the fuel tanks; it validated the entire Project Sunrise concept. The aircraft was configured with the definitive Sunrise cabin, which includes a world-first 'Wellbeing Zone' for Economy and Premium Economy passengers to stretch and hydrate, and innovative First Class 'suites in the sky' with separate beds and recliners. For Australia, a nation defined by its distance from the rest of the world, Project Sunrise means the "tyranny of distance" has finally been broken. Commercial flights are scheduled to begin in 2027.