Airbus A350 Flies More Than 24 Hours Nonstop from Australia to France

An Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed a remarkable nonstop test flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, remaining airborne for 24 hours and 24 minutes.

The aircraft covered approximately 23,075 kilometres (14,338 miles) during the marathon flight, marking a major milestone in the development of ultra-long-haul commercial aviation.

The specially modified A350-1000ULR is being developed for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which aims to introduce some of the world’s longest nonstop passenger services, including direct flights connecting Australia with Europe and North America.

The aircraft features an additional fuel tank designed to extend its range and support flights of up to around 22 hours under commercial operating conditions. Airbus says the test campaign is helping validate the aircraft’s performance ahead of certification.

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft, with plans for nonstop Sydney–London and Sydney–New York services as part of Project Sunrise. The milestone could bring a new era of ultra-long-distance air travel, reducing the need for stopovers on some of the world’s longest routes.