Airbus’ ultra-long-range A350-1000ULR touched down in Australia for the first time on Friday as the type continues flight testing ahead of planned deliveries to Qantas.
The jet departed Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France, and flew for about 19 hours before landing in Melbourne. Qantas said the -1000ULR was operated by four Airbus test pilots and five engineers, who evaluated the aircraft’s systems, including its additional 20,000-liter fuel tank, which will allow for flights of up to 22 hours without stops.
Two Qantas pilots will join the Airbus crew on the journey back to France, which is scheduled for Monday.
The A350-1000ULR is being built custom for Qantas as part of “Project Sunrise,” the carrier’s yearslong plan to serve far-flung locales such as London and New York nonstop from Australia’s east coast. The carrier announced in June that London will be its first Project Sunrise destination, with flights from Sydney tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2027.
The airplane that made the journey from Toulouse to Melbourne was produced for testing purposes and will not join Qantas’ fleet. The first -1000ULR intended for the airline, nicknamed “Vega,” is currently taking shape on Airbus’ final assembly line. It is scheduled for delivery in April 2027.
Qantas has so far ordered 12 -1000ULRs.
