Testing Starts for Longest-Range Commercial Jet

Airbus completed the first test flight for a custom-designed aircraft that will have the longest range for any commercial jet capable of completing flights of nearly 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km / 11,508 miles) without refueling. The Airbus A350-1000ULR is the first of 12 ultra long-range aircraft being developed for Australia’s Qantas Airways, which aims to offer non-stop service from Sydney to London, or potentially to New York.

Quantas initiated its Project Sunrise program in 2017, and awarded the project to Airbus in 2019. The -1000ULR is the fourth variant of the A350 twin-engine widebody aircraft, powered by twin Rolls-Royce Trent XXWB high-bypass turbofan engines. The jet builder is preparing to introduce a cargo jet version, the A350F, later this year.

Airbus reports it has 714 A350 aircraft in service with 41 airlines, and 865 outstanding orders.

For the A350-1000ULR, Airbus incorporated an extra fuel tank (rear center tank), which - together with interior design details to enhance passenger comfort for flights of up to 22 hours reduces the capacity from more than 300 passengers on other A350 models to just 238 passengers in a four-class cabin arrangement.

The test flight for the first A350-1000ULR (MSN 707) was conducted over three hours, 43 minutes at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. Outfitted with special test flight instruments, MSN 707 reached an altitude of just over 41,000 feet.

Following the flight tests, MSN 707 will be completed to Qantas’ commercial specifications. The second A350-1000ULR is in final assembly now and is set to be delivered to Qantas in April 2027.