Airbus has completed the first flight of the A350-1000ULR, an ultra-long-range development of the A350-1000 that the manufacturer describes as the world’s longest-range aircraft, in an event announced on 2 June 2026. The flight marks a major programme milestone for Airbus and for launch customer commitments targeting nonstop sectors approaching 22 hours.
The A350-1000ULR is engineered for very long-haul operations, with additional fuel capacity and system enhancements beyond the baseline A350-1000 to support missions such as nonstop services between Australia’s east coast and key intercontinental hubs. The variant is central to Qantas’ Project Sunrise strategy, for which the carrier has 12 A350-1000ULRs on order to operate nonstop flights linking cities including Sydney with London and New York.
The first Project Sunrise airframe has already undergone engine installation and ground testing in Toulouse ahead of its dedicated flight-test campaign. The A350-1000ULR programme now transitions from initial flight milestone to a broader certification and entry-into-service phase, underpinning long-term fleet and network planning for ultra-long-range operators.