Qantas' Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR completes maiden flight

Dhaka: The first Airbus A350-1000ULR built for Qantas' Project Sunrise has completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the Australian carrier's ambition to launch nonstop flights from Australia to London and New York.

Airbus said the aircraft, MSN 707, flew for three hours and 43 minutes from Toulouse, France, on June 2. During the flight, the crew assessed general aircraft performance and tested the new fuel system architecture, with the aircraft reaching slightly above 41,000 feet.

The A350-1000ULR has been developed specifically for Qantas to operate some of the world's longest passenger flights, including a nonstop service between Sydney and London. The route spans nearly 10,000 nautical miles, with anticipated flight times stretching to as long as 22 hours.

The aircraft's extended range is achieved primarily through the integration of a rear center tank into its structure, adding approximately 1,000 nautical miles of range over the standard A350-1000.

The maiden flight marks the beginning of a roughly two-month certification campaign for the aircraft modifications. Airbus will also certify a new galley air conditioning system designed for very long flights, which incorporates lighter and more efficient refrigeration units. Cabin ventilation and temperature control will also be evaluated during the campaign.

Following flight testing, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas' commercial specifications.

Meanwhile, the second A350-1000ULR for Qantas, which will actually be the first unit delivered to the airline, has reached an advanced stage of final assembly. Airbus said the aircraft is expected to roll out of the paint shop shortly before cabin completion and engine installation.

Project Sunrise has long been one of the most closely watched ultra-long-haul programs in aviation as Qantas pursues nonstop connections between Australia and major global cities that currently require one-stop routings.

However, the project's timeline has recently faced a setback. Qantas now expects its first A350-1000ULR delivery in April 2027, after Airbus cited supply chain issues.

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs for Project Sunrise, alongside 12 standard A350-1000s earmarked for future long-haul operations.