Qantas Project Sunrise Test Flight Completes Nonstop Toulouse-Melbourne Run

A landmark Qantas Project Sunrise test flight concluded July 24, 2026, as the airline's first Airbus A350-1000 Ultra Long Range (ULR) variant completed a nonstop journey from Toulouse, France, to Melbourne Airport (YMML). The mission covered approximately 17,000 kilometers over 19 to 22 hours, making it the most demanding endurance test in the aircraft's certification campaign to date.

Technical Validation of ULR Systems

Operating under callsign AIB35LR and registration F-WULR, the aircraft was used to validate a specialized long-range fuel system built around a 20,000-liter aft center fuel tank — a key modification that extends the A350-1000ULR's range to nearly 10,000 nautical miles. Airbus and Qantas said the flight tested endurance and fuel efficiency across multiple climatic zones, pushing the platform to the edge of its operational envelope.

Path to Commercial Service

The Toulouse-to-Melbourne nonstop serves as a capstone for the A350-1000ULR's proving phase. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Qantas by April 2027, clearing the way for Project Sunrise's commercial debut in October 2027 — when the carrier plans to launch nonstop services from Australia's east coast to both London and New York.