Qantas readies Airbus A350‑1000ULR for Project Sunrise ultra‑long‑haul flights

Airbus has started a two‑month flight‑test campaign of its new ultra‑long‑range A350‑1000ULR from Toulouse, using aircraft MSN707 fitted with an extra fuel tank, updated systems and over 1,000 sensors. The program is aimed at certifying the variant for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which will enable nonstop services of up to 22 hours.

Qantas has unveiled the cabin layout for the Project Sunrise aircraft, featuring 238 seats with the lowest density of any A350. The design includes six enclosed first‑class suites, 52 business suites with sliding doors, a premium‑economy cabin with custom memory‑foam seats and a spacious economy cabin. The airline plans to launch the world’s first nonstop Sydney‑London flights in October 2027, followed by Sydney‑New York services. "Flight testing a production aircraft adds a layer of extra pressure," said test‑flight engineer Laurent Rossignol, noting the focus on passenger experience and reliability.