Story perspectives

Qantas Sets Record with 24-Hour A350 Test Flight

7/29/2026

Summary

Qantas Sets Record

Qantas completed a 24-hour 24-minute nonstop test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse in a modified Airbus A350-1000ULR.
The aircraft covered 23,075 km, was tracked by 3.6 million Flightradar24 users, and broke the 2005 Boeing 777-200LR record of 22 h 42 m and 21,601.7 km thanks to an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR jets, with the first due in April 2027 and Sydney-London services planned for October 2027 lasting 19-21 hours.

Summary

Qantas Delays Launch

A test flight gave the European Union Aviation Safety Agency data to certify the A350-1000ULR’s fuel tank and fuel-management system.
Redesign of the tank moved first delivery from late 2026 to April 2027 and shifted the commercial launch to October 2027.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson confirmed tickets for the Sydney-London service will be on sale in February 2027.
The nonstop Sydney-London flight will overtake Singapore Airlines’ A350-900ULR New York-Singapore service as the world’s longest commercial route.

History

Historical Context

Singapore Airlines set the ultra-long-haul benchmark in June 2004 when its A340-500 began nonstop Singapore–Newark flights, a route that later required 14 cabin crew and six pilots. The record inspired Qantas to test an A350-1000ULR in 2024, aiming to exceed the distance with a Sydney–London nonstop. Both moves reflect airlines’ shift toward nonstop intercontinental services.

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Qantas Sets Record

Qantas completed a 24-hour 24-minute nonstop test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse in a modified Airbus A350-1000ULR.
The aircraft covered 23,075 km, was tracked by 3.6 million Flightradar24 users, and broke the 2005 Boeing 777-200LR record of 22 h 42 m and 21,601.7 km thanks to an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR jets, with the first due in April 2027 and Sydney-London services planned for October 2027 lasting 19-21 hours.

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