Qantas jet lands in Australia after 19-hour non-stop test flight from France

Qantas has successfully completed a crucial test flight of its new A350-1000ULR aircraft, cruising non-stop for nearly 20 hours from Airbus' manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France, to Melbourne, Australia. This marks the first flight for the A350-1000ULR, a commercial jet specifically designed for ultra-long-haul routes. The test flight, operated by four Airbus test pilots and five test engineers, rigorously evaluated the aircraft's systems, including its substantial 20,000-liter fuel tank, which enables flights of up to 22 hours. The aircraft is slated for a return flight to Toulouse on July 27, with two Qantas pilots onboard. Qantas unveiled the specially modified A350-1000 jets last month, intended for the 17,015-kilometer journey between London and Sydney, which is expected to take between 19 and 22 hours. This new route will surpass Singapore Airlines' current longest direct flight between Singapore and New York City, which takes under 19 hours and does not offer economy class. In contrast, Qantas' A350-1000ULR will accommodate 238 passengers, with 140 in economy class, and will feature a Wellbeing Zone for passengers. The airline plans to begin selling tickets for the non-stop London-Sydney flight in February. The carrier will also offer flights from New York to Sydney using similar jets capable of flying up to 22 hours.