Airbus Completes 24-Hour Non-Stop Flight: A350-1000ULR Sets New Duration Record from Melbourne to Toulouse

Airbus has successfully completed a record-breaking non-stop test flight of its A350-1000ULR aircraft, flying from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France. The journey spanned an impressive 23,076 kilometers and lasted exactly 24 hours and 24 minutes. During the flight, the crew experienced two sunrises and two sunsets, highlighting the extreme duration of the trip.

The aircraft, a special ultra-long-range variant of the A350-1000 developed for the Australian airline Qantas, departed Melbourne on Monday at 5:27 PM local time. It landed in Toulouse on Tuesday at 9:52 AM Swiss time. This flight was reportedly the most tracked on Flightradar24, underscoring the global interest in such long-haul aviation feats.

This test flight is a significant step for Qantas, which is exploring the possibility of offering ultra-long-haul routes, such as a non-stop service between London and Sydney. The A350-1000ULR is designed to make such extensive journeys feasible, potentially revolutionizing long-distance air travel.