Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise has rolled out of the assembly line at Airbus’ Toulouse facility in southern France. Fully fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, fuselage, wings, and landing gear, the aircraft marks a key milestone toward ultra-long-haul nonstop flights from Australia.
This rollout enables imminent first test flights following final ground checks and a two-month flight testing campaign. The aircraft, the lead of 12 on order, will enter service by end-2026 with delivery targeted for Sydney.
Configured with 238 seats—40 percent in premium cabins including First, Business, and Premium Economy—the A350-1000ULR features extra legroom and reduced density for passenger comfort on 22-hour routes. A rear fuel tank adds 20,000 liters of capacity, cutting flight times by up to four hours versus one-stop services to London and New York.
Project Sunrise enables Qantas to bypass Middle East hubs on Europe routes, offering nonstop connectivity from Australia’s east coast to anywhere globally for the first time. Cabin innovations include a Wellbeing Zone for movement, circadian lighting to fight jetlag, healthy snacks, and fast free Wi-Fi.
Fleet aircraft will bear star-themed names, with the first revealed mid-year. This development strengthens Qantas’ position in the ultra-long-haul market amid rising demand for direct premium services.