Overview
- The first A350-1000ULR for Qantas left Airbus final assembly in Toulouse with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines installed and now enters ground checks before a two-month flight test program.
- Qantas says the aircraft’s extra range comes from an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank and upgraded systems built for flights of up to about 22 hours.
- The cabin will carry 238 passengers with about 40% in premium classes and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for stretching, guided exercises, hydration and light snacks.
- The airline plans first delivery in late 2026 and commercial service in early 2027, with initial training flights likely to New Zealand before ultra-long-haul routes begin.
- Nonstop links to London and New York would cut travel times by up to four hours and skip hub connections, though environmental groups warn the nonstop profile increases fuel burn versus one-stop trips.