Airbus completes record 24-hour flight with plane to be used by Qantas

An Airbus A350 has successfully completed a record-setting 24-hour test flight, traveling from Australia to France. The specially modified aircraft touched down in France on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone ahead of its entry into Qantas's fleet next year. This journey covered 23,076 kilometers across three continents and two oceans, captivating observers on flight tracking sites.

The flight serves as a crucial precursor to Qantas receiving its first A350-1000ULR model in April next year. The Australian airline plans to operate 11 of these aircraft on services linking Australia non-stop to destinations in the United States and Europe. The "ULR" designation signifies "ultra long distance," a capability enhanced by the addition of a 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank.

This return flight took precisely 24 hours and 24 minutes. The aircraft had previously completed an outbound journey from Toulouse to Melbourne, covering 17,000 kilometers in 19 hours and 12 minutes. These flights demonstrate the A350's capacity for ultra-long-haul travel, a key factor for airlines seeking to offer direct connections between distant global hubs.