Ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-1000ULR touches down in Melbourne ahead of planned non-stop Sydney to London services
Qantas has reached another significant milestone in its ambitious Project Sunrise program, with the airline’s first Airbus A350-1000ULR arriving in Australia following a historic 20-hour test flight from France. The aircraft is expected to play a central role in launching the airline’s long-awaited non-stop services between Sydney and London, offering Australians faster direct connections to Europe from late 2027.
The arrival marks an important step in Qantas’ plans to reshape ultra-long-haul travel and strengthen Australia’s direct links with major international destinations.
Historic 17,000km Journey Ends in Melbourne
The specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR departed Toulouse, France, at 7:30am local time before completing the approximately 17,000-kilometre journey to Melbourne Airport.
The aircraft landed at 10:46am AEST on Friday, drawing widespread attention from aviation enthusiasts across Australia and overseas.
More than 75,000 people followed the aircraft’s arrival live on FlightRadar24, making it the most-watched flight in the world at the moment it touched down.
Qantas confirmed that two of its pilots were on board alongside Airbus flight test personnel as part of the aircraft’s ongoing certification and testing program.
The aircraft is scheduled to remain in Melbourne briefly before returning to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse on Monday to continue further testing.
Project Sunrise Set to Transform Long-Haul Travel
Non-stop Sydney to London flights planned for 2027
Qantas announced in June that its first commercial Project Sunrise service between Sydney and London is expected to commence in October 2027, with ticket sales due to open in February 2027.
The new direct route is expected to reduce overall travel time by around four hours compared with current services that require a stopover.
The airline also plans to introduce non-stop flights between Sydney and New York shortly after the London service begins.
For many Australian travellers, these routes are expected to offer greater convenience by eliminating lengthy transit stops while significantly reducing total journey times.
Aircraft Designed for Extreme Long-Range Operations
Special modifications support flights lasting more than 20 hours
The Airbus A350-1000ULR has been purpose-built for ultra-long-haul operations.
Its extended range is made possible by an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank, along with upgraded aircraft systems designed to support exceptionally long flights.
Qantas officially unveiled the aircraft in its new livery in June before it completed its maiden test flight on 3 June.
That initial flight lasted three hours and 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic coast and was operated by two Airbus Flight Test Pilots, three Flight Test Engineers and one Ground Test Engineer.
Since then, the aircraft has undergone extensive testing before undertaking its first journey to Australia.
Cabin Configuration and Delivery Timeline
The aircraft introduces a redesigned cabin layout tailored for long-duration travel.
Its new Economy cabin accommodates 140 passengers in a standard 3-3-3 seating configuration, forming part of a broader interior designed to improve passenger comfort on flights lasting more than 20 hours.
Qantas originally expected to receive the first of its 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft in late 2026. However, global supply chain challenges have delayed delivery, with the first aircraft now expected to enter the fleet in April 2027.
According to the airline, the following four aircraft will be delivered in relatively quick succession.
Qantas has indicated that three aircraft will be required to operate a daily non-stop service on each of its flagship ultra-long-haul routes.
Premium Pricing Expected for Non-Stop Services
Passengers choosing Project Sunrise services should expect to pay a premium for the convenience of direct travel.
Qantas has projected that fares for the ultra-long-haul routes will be approximately 20 per cent higher than comparable one-stop flights between Australia and Europe or North America.
The airline believes the time savings and added convenience will appeal to both business and leisure travellers seeking to avoid stopovers on some of the world’s longest commercial flights.
A New Chapter for Australian Aviation
The successful arrival of Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR in Australia represents a major milestone for Project Sunrise and the future of long-haul aviation. As testing continues ahead of commercial operations, the aircraft moves Australia closer to a new era of non-stop international travel, with direct services to London and New York expected to redefine how Australians connect with the rest of the world.
Cory Weinberg is a contributor to Sproutwired.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Cory’s work highlights relevant stories, practical insights and important issues affecting communities and industries, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity and information that readers can trust.
