Why 10,000 people are tracking a plane flying to Australia

An Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for ultra-long-range flights, has taken off from Toulouse, France, on a direct test flight to Melbourne, Australia. The journey, anticipated to take approximately 22 hours, has captured the attention of aviation enthusiasts worldwide, with thousands tracking its progress on Flightradar.

The aircraft, developed for Qantas's ambitious 'Project Sunrise,' is a specially adapted version of the A350. It features a 20,000-liter auxiliary fuel tank and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines to enable such extended flight durations. Nine crew members are on board for this test flight.

Qantas first announced plans for direct flights between Sydney and cities like New York and London in 2017 under 'Project Sunrise.' The airline recently confirmed that the first commercial Sydney-London direct flight is scheduled for October next year. This test flight is a crucial step in validating the aircraft's capabilities for these routes.

To ensure passenger comfort on these marathon journeys, the A350-1000ULR's interior has been reconfigured. Unlike the standard A350, which can carry up to 400 passengers, this specialized version will accommodate only 238. The cabin will feature wider seating arrangements, lie-flat beds in first class, and a dedicated wellness zone for passengers to stretch and move. Additionally, an advanced lighting system will simulate the destination's time zone to help mitigate jet lag.