tech
New airliner sets record flying 24 hrs nonstop from Australia to France
Record flight shows viability of Qantas Airways’ Project Sunrise routes in 2027.
TL;DR
- An Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a 24 hour and 25 minute test flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France.
- This flight is a precursor to Qantas Airways' Project Sunrise nonstop commercial flights between Sydney and New York or London, expected to launch in 2027.
- The A350-1000ULR is equipped with an extra rear center fuel tank to extend its range for ultra-long-haul routes.
- A twin flight crew rest compartment and a staggered pilot shift system were implemented to manage crew fatigue during the extended flight.
- Qantas plans to configure these aircraft with lower seat density, offering premium services and passenger wellbeing zones.