Airbus Completes Record-Breaking 24-Hour Test Flight from Australia to France

Airbus has successfully completed a record-setting test flight for its A350-1000ULR aircraft, a specialized version designed for ultra-long-haul commercial routes. The plane landed in Toulouse, France, after a journey exceeding 24 hours, originating from Melbourne, Australia.

The flight, spanning 23,075 kilometers, allowed the crew to experience two sunrises and two sunsets during the journey. Airbus highlighted that the aircraft, equipped with an additional fuel tank, spent 24 hours and 24 minutes airborne. This duration surpassed the previous record for commercial aircraft by over an hour and 40 minutes, which was set in 2005 by a Boeing 777-200LR.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 reported that the flight garnered immense public interest, becoming the second most-watched flight in its history with over 3.6 million viewers. This test flight is a significant milestone for Qantas's Project Sunrise initiative. The airline aims to introduce the world's longest commercial passenger routes, connecting Australia directly with European cities like London and New York, thereby revolutionizing long-distance travel by eliminating the need for stopovers.

Qantas has ordered 12 of these modified A350-1000ULR aircraft, each capable of carrying 238 passengers and holding an additional 20,000 liters of fuel. The first delivery is expected in April next year, with Qantas planning to commence daily direct flights between Sydney and London by October 2027. Airbus has been conducting a series of tests on this aircraft model since June.

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For the crew, it meant flying from winter to summer, crossing two oceans and three continents, and experiencing two sunrises and two sunsets during a single flight.