Airbus completes first test flight of A350‑1000ULR for Qantas Sydney‑London ultra‑long route

Airbus successfully carried out the inaugural flight of its newly‑developed A350‑1000ULR aircraft at its Toulouse test centre. The flight lasted three hours and 43 minutes, reached a cruising altitude of about 12,500 metres and marked the start of a two‑month certification programme.

The ultra‑long‑range version is being built to meet Qantas’ requirement for non‑stop services on routes such as Sydney–London and Sydney–New York, covering roughly 18,500 km in up to 22 hours. Qantas has ordered 12 of the modified jets, with the first delivery now expected in April 2027. Once in service, the aircraft could cut travel times on the world’s longest routes by several hours.

Airbus will use the test period to validate the new rear‑centre fuel tank, cabin cooling and ventilation systems that enable the extended range. After certification, the A350‑1000ULR will join the airline’s fleet alongside 12 standard A350‑1000s for other long‑haul services.