Qantas’s specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR landed in Melbourne on Friday, July 24, 2026, after a 19-hour, 17,000km test flight from Toulouse, France. The aircraft, designed for nonstop Sydney-to-London services starting in October 2027, carried test crews to validate systems, including a new rear center fuel tank, ahead of its commercial launch.
The flight, which departed Airbus’s manufacturing facility in Toulouse on Thursday, served as a critical test of the aircraft’s endurance. Unlike standard A350-1000 models, this variant is equipped with an additional 20,000-litre rear center fuel tank. This modification extends the plane’s range, allowing it to remain in the air for up to 22 hours—a necessity for the planned 17,000km-plus routes.
Data-Driven Testing and Crew Readiness
While the aircraft lacked regular passengers, it was far from empty. The cabin was configured as a flying laboratory, housing five tonnes of testing equipment and 1,000 sensors designed to collect performance data. Onboard, four Airbus test pilots and five flight test engineers managed the systems, including fuel transfer and cabin environment controls.
Photo: News.com.au
Qantas’s chief technical pilot, Alex Passerini, emphasized the demanding nature of these ultra-long-haul journeys, noting that the experience involves managing crew fatigue through data-driven systems.
“The whole approach is very different to what we used to. At the end of the day, we’re flying over the North Pacific, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland and into London from the north, which, you know, you really have to stop and have a think about that.”
Alex Passerini, Qantas chief technical pilot
Passerini noted that flight times will be hugely influenced by winds and will vary from day to day.
Project Sunrise Timeline and Commercial Strategy
Qantas expects to take delivery of the first A350-1000ULR, named Vega, in April 2027. This arrival will trigger the start of the Sydney-to-London service in October 2027. While previous announcements suggested Melbourne and Brisbane could serve as hubs, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has maintained that the airline will remain flexible regarding route deployment.
Photo: Nine.com.au
“We’re going to be able to be announcing the routes progressively as the new aircraft come in over the next two and a half years. Demand can change. We know how demand can change, and we’re going to be responsive to that.”
🔴LIVE 1st Qantas A350-1000ULR – Project Sunrise Test Flight landing at Melbourne Airport – 24.07.26🔴
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas CEO
With only 238 seats—significantly fewer than standard A350-1000 models—the planes offer a lower seat density. This design includes an in-cabin wellness zone, where passengers can stretch and move during the 20-plus-hour flight. Qantas projects that fares for these ultra-long-haul services will be roughly 20 per cent higher than traditional one-stop flights, betting that the convenience of a direct connection will justify the premium cost for travelers.
Following this weekend’s maintenance and data review in Melbourne, the test aircraft is scheduled to depart for Toulouse on Monday, accompanied by two Qantas pilots. With 12 aircraft on order, the airline intends to phase these jets into its network over the two and a half years following the initial April 2027 delivery, eventually connecting Australia to a wider range of international destinations.
