Qantas tests new ultra long-range Airbus in 17,000km direct flight from France to Melbourne

Qantas's new ultra long-distance aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR, has landed in Australia for the first time following a 19-hour test flight from France. The aircraft, designed for some of the world's longest commercial flights, departed Toulouse on Thursday and arrived in Melbourne on Friday morning.

This successful test flight is a crucial step towards Qantas's ambitious Project Sunrise, which aims to launch a direct Sydney to London route by October 2027. The A350-1000ULR is specifically configured for these ultra-long-haul journeys, capable of flying up to 22 hours nonstop.

The test flight generated considerable public interest, with flight tracking website Flightradar24.com reporting that over 67,000 people globally monitored its nearly 17,000km path. This level of engagement highlights the public's fascination with aviation advancements and extreme-distance travel.

Qantas chief technical pilot Alex Passerini noted that the return flight would be 23 hours, allowing the crew to test various systems, including fuel transfer and air conditioning. The airline emphasized its "data-driven" approach to managing crew fatigue on these extended flights, ensuring regular rest breaks.

The test aircraft is a pre-production model with a tan exterior and company branding, distinct from the final Qantas livery. The first A350-1000ULR, named Vega and painted in Qantas's official colors, is expected to be delivered in April 2027. Airbus states the aircraft's enhanced fuel capacity enables routes of nearly 10,000 nautical miles (18,500km).

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Everyone’s going to get tired.