Airbus A350 completes record-breaking 24-hour nonstop test flight from Australia to France
Airbus successfully completed a marathon test flight of its specially adapted A350-1000ULR airliner, flying nonstop from Melbourne, Australia to Toulouse, France. The aircraft remained airborne for 24 hours and 24 minutes, covering 23,075 km. This test is a key milestone for Qantas' Project Sunrise, which aims to launch the world's longest commercial passenger services, including nonstop Sydney-London and Sydney-New York routes, starting in 2027. The flight was the second-most-tracked flight ever on Flightradar24, with over 3.6 million people following its progress. Qantas has ordered 12 of these modified aircraft, which will carry 20,000 additional liters of fuel and seat 238 passengers. The first delivery is expected in April 2027, with daily Sydney-London nonstop flights planned from October 2027.
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