Australian airline Qantas has achieved a major milestone in commercial aviation after its first Airbus A350-1000ULR successfully completed a record-breaking nonstop test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, remaining airborne for more than 24 hours. The historic journey marks a significant step toward the airline’s ambitious Project Sunrise, which aims to introduce direct flights connecting Australia’s east coast with destinations such as London and New York without any stopovers.
The specially modified aircraft departed Melbourne on July 27 and landed in Toulouse, France, on July 28 after flying continuously for 24 hours and 23 minutes. Covering a distance of approximately 23,075 kilometres, the flight followed a trans-Pacific route over the United States and Canada before crossing the Atlantic into Europe. According to flight-tracking data, the journey surpassed the previous endurance record of 22 hours and 42 minutes, set by a Boeing 777-200LR during a test flight in 2005, making it the longest nonstop flight ever completed by a commercial aircraft during testing.
The aircraft involved in the flight is the Airbus A350-1000ULR, an ultra-long-range variant designed specifically to meet the demanding operational requirements of Project Sunrise. To enable such extended flights, the aircraft has been fitted with an additional fuel tank capable of carrying approximately 20,000 litres of extra fuel, along with structural enhancements and performance improvements. The test flight was conducted to evaluate the aircraft’s endurance, fuel efficiency, systems performance, and operational reliability under extreme long-haul conditions before it enters commercial service.
Unlike a commercial passenger service, the record-setting journey carried only test personnel, including Airbus engineers and Qantas pilots. The crew continuously monitored the aircraft’s systems, fuel consumption, navigation and overall performance throughout the marathon flight. The mission also provided valuable information on pilot fatigue management, aircraft handling over prolonged durations and maintenance requirements associated with ultra-long-haul operations.
Project Sunrise represents one of Qantas’ most ambitious aviation initiatives. Once operational, the airline intends to offer direct flights from Sydney to London and New York, eliminating the need for intermediate stopovers that currently extend travel time and require passengers to change or remain on the aircraft during refuelling. The airline believes nonstop services will significantly improve convenience for travellers while reducing total journey time between Australia and major global destinations.
To make flights lasting nearly a full day more comfortable, Qantas has incorporated several passenger-focused innovations into the aircraft’s cabin design. The Airbus A350-1000ULR will accommodate only 238 passengers, considerably fewer than a standard A350, allowing for greater personal space and enhanced comfort. Planned features include specially designed first-class suites, business-class cabins with lie-flat beds, premium economy seating, and an onboard wellbeing zone where passengers can stretch and perform guided exercises during the journey. The aircraft will also feature advanced circadian lighting, improved cabin humidity, lower cabin pressure and specially planned meal services aimed at reducing jet lag and improving passenger wellbeing on ultra-long flights.
The recent record-breaking mission attracted widespread attention from aviation enthusiasts across the world. Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that millions of people followed the aircraft’s progress in real time, making it one of the most-watched flights in the platform’s history.
Qantas has placed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, with the first delivery expected in April 2027. Subject to certification and operational approvals, the airline plans to launch daily nonstop Sydney-London services in October 2027, followed by nonstop flights between Sydney and New York. The successful completion of the 24-hour endurance test is considered a major milestone toward making some of the world’s longest commercial flights a reality while showcasing the next generation of ultra-long-haul aviation technology.
