Airbus tests ultra-long-range A350-1000ULR jet for Qantas flights

Airbus has successfully completed the first test flight of its A350-1000ULR, an aircraft engineered for ultra-long-range travel. The test flight, which lasted three hours and 43 minutes, saw the plane reach an altitude of over 12,500 meters, taking off and landing in Toulouse, France.

This advanced aircraft is slated for delivery to the Australian airline Qantas, with the aim of enabling unprecedented non-stop flights between Sydney and London. This route covers a distance of approximately 18,500 kilometers, promising a journey of up to 22 hours.

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The aircraft, equipped with specific instruments for testing, flew for three hours and 43 minutes, reaching an altitude slightly above 12,500 meters.

However, the introduction of this groundbreaking service faces delays. Qantas was initially set to launch the route in 2025, then revised to late 2026, and now expects its first A350-1000ULR in April 2027. The airline has ordered 12 of these specific ultra-long-range models, alongside 12 standard A350-1000s for other long-haul routes.

The Qantas A350-1000ULR will feature a premium cabin configuration, accommodating only 238 passengers. This includes six first-class suites with private doors, king-sized beds, and 32-inch entertainment screens, alongside 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. A unique communal area for all passengers, offering stretching space and self-service snacks, is also planned.

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to allow non-stop flights between Sydney and London for the first time, a distance of almost 18,500 kilometers