The first Airbus A350-1000ULR built for Qantas’ Project Sunrise has completed its first flight, marking an important step toward the airline’s plan to launch nonstop flights from Australia to London and New York.
Airbus said the aircraft, MSN 707, flew for three hours and 43 minutes from Toulouse, France, on June 2, 2026. The aircraft reached slightly above 41,000 feet during the flight, which Airbus said was conducted by a dedicated flight test crew.
The A350-1000ULR is being developed specifically for Qantas to operate some of the world’s longest passenger flights, including nonstop service between Sydney and London. The route covers nearly 10,000 nautical miles and could see flight times stretching to as long as 22 hours.
Airbus said the aircraft’s additional range comes mainly from the integration of a rear center tank into the structure, increasing range by about 1,000 nautical miles.
Project Sunrise has been one of the most closely watched ultra-long-haul airline programs in the world as Qantas seeks to connect Australia nonstop with major global cities that currently require one-stop routings.
During the first flight, the crew checked general aircraft performance and tested the new fuel system architecture, Airbus said. The flight begins a roughly two-month certification campaign for the aircraft modifications.
Airbus will also certify a new galley air conditioning system designed for very long flights. The system uses lighter and more efficient refrigeration units. Airbus said cabin ventilation and temperature control will also undergo testing during the campaign.
After flight testing, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas’ commercial specifications.
The second A350-1000ULR for Qantas, which Airbus said will be the first aircraft delivered to the airline, has reached an advanced stage of final assembly. Airbus said that aircraft is due to roll out of the paint shop in the coming days before cabin completion and engine installation.
The update follows a recent delay to the Project Sunrise timeline, with Qantas now expecting its first A350-1000ULR delivery in April 2027, after Airbus cited supply chain issues.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise. The airline also has 12 standard A350-1000s on order for future long-haul operations.
