iscover
Qantas is preparing to begin flight testing on its first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR.
The two-month testing program will get underway in coming weeks following the aircraft’s departure from the assembly line in Toulouse, where it has now been fitted with its twin Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
All major components, including fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear and engines, have now been installed onto the first aircraft, while the second continues to be on the final assembly line, having entered it in February.
The flight testing program will now check systems, performance and certification, including the extra 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank that will enable the non-stop 22-hour Project Sunrise flights from the east coast to London and New York starting in 2027.
Qantas has confirmed that the Project Sunrise aircraft will be named after stars, harking back to the “Double Sunrise” flights performed by Catalina flying boats during the Second World War, which were named for navigational stars used to cross the Indian Ocean.
The first of the aircraft is slated for delivery in late 2026, and its first flights will likely be to New Zealand for training purposes, with Qantas not yet revealing whether London or New York will see the initial ultra-long-haul non-stop flights.
“Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers. Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world,” Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said in November.
“These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing.”
According to Qantas, the cabin has been designed “from the ground up” to ensure passenger comfort during the ultra-long-haul flights.
“The aircraft will fly for up to 22 hours non-stop, made possible by an additional 20,000 litre rear centre fuel tank and enhanced systems, with every element designed around passenger comfort and wellbeing for ultra-long-haul operations,” the airline has said.
“Key to the cabin design has been giving passengers more space, with a 238-seat configuration versus the 300-plus seats layout used by other A350-1000 operators.
“This includes a purpose-built Wellbeing Zone located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins featuring integrated stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise programs, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.”
The A350-1000ULR forms part of Qantas’ massive fleet renewal program, which is seeing the carrier transition from a mostly-Boeing airline to a largely Airbus one.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
