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Airbus A350‑1000ULR Begins Certification Tests as Qantas Plans 2027 Nonstop Sydney–London/New York Service

Certification will determine whether the long‑range A350 can sustain 20–22 hour nonstop flights to connect Australia directly to major global cities.

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Overview

  • Airbus completed the A350‑1000ULR’s inaugural test flight on Monday and has launched a formal certification campaign to validate systems for ultra‑long operations.
  • Qantas has ordered 12 A350‑1000ULR aircraft, expects first delivery in April 2027, and plans to start commercial nonstop Sydney–London and Sydney–New York services in October 2027.
  • The ULR variant adds an integrated central rear fuel tank that increases range by about 1,000 nautical miles, enabling flights of up to roughly 18,000 km or about 22 hours.
  • Certification tests are focusing on systems needed for very long flights, including fuel management, galley refrigeration, ventilation and cabin temperature control, and regulatory approval could change the timetable.
  • Airbus says the ULR will be more fuel efficient with lower emissions than conventional long‑haul jets, and Qantas will fly a reduced 238‑seat, four‑class cabin with dedicated wellbeing areas to manage passenger comfort on ultra‑long sectors.