Airbus is progressing toward the final stages of production for its A350-1000ULR (ultralong-range) aircraft, which will serve as the backbone of Qantas’ future nonstop flights connecting Australia with New York and London.
The first of these groundbreaking routes is expected to launch in the first half of 2027, positioning them as the longest in commercial aviation history. Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO, expressed excitement over the announcement, stating, “This is something that everyone at Qantas has been waiting for so long.” Plans for the A350-1000ULR were initially unveiled by Qantas in December 2019.
On Thursday, the inaugural A350-1000ULR was displayed outside the Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. The aircraft’s components—including the fuselage, wings, tail section, and landing gear—have been successfully assembled. It is now set to undergo engine and flight test instrument installations in a new hangar, with its test flight program slated for next year.
As part of what Qantas is calling Project Sunrise, Qantas tasked Airbus with designing the A350-1000ULR specifically to connect major cities along the Australian east coast with New York and London. The aircraft is engineered for long-distance travel, capable of flying for up to 22 hours, thanks in part to an additional 5,300-gallon rear center fuel tank and advanced aircraft systems.
The distance between Sydney and London exceeds 11,000 miles, and these nonstop routes will remarkably reduce travel time by four hours between Australia and these two major destinations. Qantas has placed orders for a total of a dozen A350-1000ULRs. Notably, the airline plans to offer a premium passenger experience, equipping each aircraft with only 238 seats—12 in first class, 46 in business class, 40 in premium economy, and 140 in economy. This is in stark contrast to Qatar Airways, which offers 327 seats on its A350-1000.
To enhance passenger comfort during these extended flights, the A350-1000ULR will feature a dedicated Wellbeing Zone situated between the premium economy and economy cabins. This unique area will be accessible to all passengers and will include stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise programs, a hydration station, and various refreshments.
Qantas is poised to redefine long-haul travel with the upcoming launch of these ultralong-range flights, leveraging cutting-edge aircraft technology to enhance passenger experience across the board.
