Qantas completes record non‑stop Melbourne‑Toulouse flight ahead of London‑Sydney service

Qantas Airways flew a test flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, covering 23,075 km in 24 hours 24 minutes without landing. The Airbus A350‑1000ULR aircraft, equipped with an extra 20,000‑litre fuel tank, set a new world record for the longest commercial non‑stop flight. The mission was part of preparations for the airline’s planned London‑Sydney route, scheduled to start regular service in October 2027, offering journeys of up to 22 hours each way. The test also examined crew‑rotation procedures, cabin lighting and meal plans designed to reduce jet lag for passengers on ultra‑long‑range flights.

The record flight attracted global attention, with more than 3.5 million people tracking it in real time via Flightradar24. Qantas ordered twelve of the ultra‑long‑range A350s in 2022, and the first delivery is expected in April 2027 after several delays.