Airbus successfully conducted a 24-hour test flight, marking a significant milestone toward establishing the world’s longest commercial air route.
The aircraft—a specially adapted A350-1000ULR—covered 14,338 miles from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, in 24 hours and 24 minutes, as verified by Flightradar24 data.
This achievement represents a major step forward in Qantas’ Project Sunrise, an initiative launched in 2017 to pioneer nonstop flights connecting Australia with Europe.
An Airbus A350-1000ULR lands at Melbourne Airport on July 24, 2026, after completing a 19-hour, 12-minute flight from Toulouse, France. The aircraft is being tested for Qantas’ Project Sunrise. (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
The test was part of a two-month campaign initiated in June to validate the aircraft’s ultra-long-range capabilities.
This journey surpassed a 2005 Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner flight, which traveled 13,422 miles from Hong Kong to London in 22 hours and 42 minutes.
Over 3.6 million viewers tracked the flight in real time on Flightradar24, making it the platform’s second-most-watched flight ever, according to the service.
An Airbus A350-1000ULR sits on the tarmac at Melbourne Airport after a 19-hour, 12-minute flight from Toulouse, France, on July 24, 2026. (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
The aircraft features an additional fuel tank capable of carrying roughly 20,000 additional liters (5,283 pounds) of fuel and can seat 238 passengers. Qantas has ordered 12 of these jets, with the first expected in April 2027. Daily nonstop flights between Sydney and London are planned for October 2027.
“Each cabin has been luxuriously crafted with innovative designs and materials to deliver ultimate comfort on what will be the longest commercial flight in the world,” Qantas stated.
A Qantas A350-1000ULR arrives at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport on July 24, 2026, following a 19-hour, 13-minute delivery flight from Airbus’ factory in Toulouse, France. The aircraft features an additional fuel tank. (William WEST / AFP via Getty Images)
The route is anticipated to take approximately 19 to 21 hours, contingent on wind conditions and flight path optimization.
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