Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Qantas Project Sunrise: First Ultra-Long-Haul A350 Aircraft Takes Shape
Imagine a super long airplane ride, like from Australia all the way to London or New York, without stopping!
Qantas is building a special new airplane called an A350-1000ULR for this.
It's like a giant plane with an extra big fuel tank to fly for up to 22 hours straight.
This new plane has finished being put together in France, and it's getting ready for test flights next year.
When it's ready in 2027, flying this way will be much faster, saving people up to four hours.
It's part of something Qantas calls 'Project Sunrise', named after old flights that saw two sunrises because they were so long!
The goal is to make these super long trips more comfortable and help people feel less tired when they arrive.
Qantas' first Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR aircraft has reached major production milestones at Airbus' facility in Toulouse, France.
The specially configured A350-1000ULRs will enable Qantas to operate the world's longest commercial flights, connecting Australia's east coast non-stop to London and New York.
These flights are designed to last up to 22 hours non-stop, thanks to an additional rear fuel tank and enhanced systems.
Project Sunrise services are expected to begin in the first half of 2027, cutting up to four hours off current travel times.
The project aims to transform ultra long-haul travel by minimizing jetlag and maximizing passenger wellbeing.
- Who
- Qantas and Airbus
- What
- Major production milestones completed for the first Project Sunrise aircraft, an A350-1000ULR, designed for ultra-long-haul flights.
- When
- Production milestones completed recently; test flights begin in 2026; services expected to commence in the first half of 2027.
- Where
- Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.
- Why
- To enable the world's longest commercial flights, connecting Australia's east coast non-stop to London and New York, reducing travel time and transforming the customer experience.
Company Stance
Customer Benefit
Flight Duration
Company Stance
Project Sunrise flights will cut up to four hours off the journey.
Customer Benefit
Customers will experience significantly reduced travel times on ultra long-haul routes.
Customer Experience
Company Stance
The project aims to transform how people travel the world by minimizing jetlag and maximizing wellbeing through science-backed design.
Customer Benefit
Travelers will benefit from a fundamentally changed experience of ultra long-haul travel.
- Airline
- Qantas
- Project Name
- Project Sunrise
- Aircraft Type
- Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range)
- Key Feature
- Additional 20,000 litre rear centre fuel tank and enhanced systems
- Maximum Flight Duration
- Up to 22 hours non-stop
- Expected Start Date
- First half of 2027
- Test Flight Program Start
- 2026