Overview
- A modified A350-1000ULR flew nonstop from Melbourne to Toulouse, covering about 23,075 km in 24 hours and 24 minutes as part of Airbus’s certification campaign.
- The test confirmed the aircraft’s bespoke changes, including a roughly 20,000-litre centre fuel tank and a 238-seat cabin layout designed to prioritise range and passenger wellbeing.
- More than 3.6 million people tracked the flight on Flightradar24, which reported a peak altitude of 41,000 feet and a top ground speed of 662 knots during the mission.
- Airbus and Qantas are now analysing the flight data and preparing submissions to regulators as they work toward first deliveries targeted in April 2027 and Qantas’s planned service launch in October 2027.
- Qantas has ordered 12 modified A350-1000ULRs that will feature six first-class suites, a Wellbeing Zone and staggered crew-rest procedures to manage fatigue on nonstop flights up to about 22 hours.