Airbus Advances A350-1000ULR Programme for Qantas Project Sunrise

A350-1000ULR to Support Non-Stop Sydney–London and New York Flights

Airbus has moved a step closer to bringing the A350-1000ULR into service following the successful first flight of the aircraft in Toulouse. The ultra-long-range variant is being developed for Qantas Airways as part of its Project Sunrise programme, which aims to introduce non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York.

The planned routes will cover distances of nearly 10,000 nautical miles and are expected to have flight times of up to 22 hours, creating new direct connections between Australia and key international destinations.

Project Sunrise was launched by Qantas in 2017 to challenge aircraft manufacturers to extend the capabilities of long-haul aircraft. The project takes its name from a historic World War II operation in which Qantas operated lengthy nonstop flights between Australia and Sri Lanka, allowing passengers and crew to witness two sunrises during a single journey.

The A350-1000ULR has been developed from the standard A350-1000 platform and incorporates several modifications to support longer flights. These include an integrated Rear Centre Tank that increases fuel capacity by 20,000 litres, an enhanced maximum take-off weight and an Airspace cabin configured for extended journeys.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft offers an additional range of around 1,000 nautical miles compared with the standard A350-1000 while maintaining provisions for operational diversions.

The first aircraft, known as MSN 707, will now enter a two-month flight-testing programme focused on the certification of the new fuel systems and structural modifications. Airbus will also conduct testing of cabin ventilation, temperature control systems and a new galley air-cooling system designed to improve efficiency during long-haul operations.

Following the completion of testing, the aircraft will be fitted with the final Qantas cabin configuration.

A second A350-1000ULR for Qantas is currently in the final stages of assembly and is being painted in the airline’s livery. The aircraft is scheduled to become the first delivery to Qantas in April 2027.

Qantas has selected a 238-seat layout for the aircraft, featuring six First Class suites, 52 Business Class suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy Class seats. The cabin will also include a dedicated wellbeing zone where passengers can move and stretch during extended flights.

Under Project Sunrise, Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft and a further 12 standard A350-1000s for its long-haul network expansion plans.

The A350-1000ULR joins the A350-900, A350-900ULR and A350-1000 within the A350 family. Airbus says the aircraft family delivers lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft while supporting long-range operations.

For more travel and tourism content, follow Safari India.