World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Airbus A350-1000ULR sets record with 24-hour Melbourne-to-Toulouse flight
An Airbus A350-1000ULR flew from Melbourne to Toulouse in July, completing a nonstop test flight in 24 hours and 24 minutes.
The aircraft covered 12,503 nautical miles, setting a Guinness record for the longest commercial flight.
Airbus developed the ultra-long-range plane for Australian airline Qantas and its Project Sunrise plans.
Qantas aims to offer nonstop flights of more than 19 hours between Australia and destinations in North America and Europe.
The plane has an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Qantas has ordered 12 aircraft for its plans.
An Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a 24-hour, 24-minute flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, setting a Guinness world record for the longest flight by a commercial airliner.
The Airbus-operated test flight took place in July as part of Qantas’s Project Sunrise.
It covered 12,503 nautical miles, or 23,155 kilometres, without stopping.
The aircraft flew over three continents and two oceans, and the record was validated using aircraft data.
The A350-1000ULR was developed for Qantas and has an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank.
- Who
- Airbus operated the flight using an A350-1000ULR developed for Qantas.
- What
- The aircraft completed a record-setting nonstop commercial-airliner flight.
- When
- It departed on July 27 and arrived on July 28; the year is stated as 2026.
- Where
- From Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France.
- Why
- The test was part of Qantas’s Project Sunrise and demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to fly long distances without stopping.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Airbus-operated aircraft departed Melbourne at 17:27 local time.
It arrived in Toulouse at 09:51 local time after 24 hours and 24 minutes in flight.
- Aircraft
- Airbus A350-1000ULR
- Route
- Melbourne to Toulouse
- Flight time
- 24 hours and 24 minutes
- Distance
- 12,503 nautical miles (23,155 kilometres)
- Additional fuel capacity
- 20,000 litres
What people are saying
This performance demonstrates the pioneering and innovative spirit that is an integral part of Airbus's DNA.
By covering 12,503 nautical miles without stopping, we have fully demonstrated the aircraft's ability to fulfil its mission.