Airbus has achieved a major aviation milestone after its specially modified A350-1000ULR completed a record-breaking nonstop test flight lasting 24 hours
The aircraft flew from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, covering approximately 23,075 kilometres without landing. The flight has been described as the longest nonstop flight ever completed by a commercial aircraft, marking a major achievement in ultra-long-haul aviation.
The aircraft is being developed for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which aims to introduce direct flights connecting Australia with destinations such as London and New York. The specially configured A350-1000ULR features an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank, allowing it to remain airborne for exceptionally long periods.
The record-breaking journey was not a regular passenger service. It was a test flight carrying pilots and Airbus engineers, who collected important data on the aircraft’s performance, fuel systems and long-duration operations.
The flight attracted enormous attention online, with more than 3.6 million people tracking it on Flightradar24, making it one of the most-followed flights ever recorded on the platform.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft for Project Sunrise. The airline plans to begin nonstop Sydney-London services in 2027, potentially transforming long-distance travel between Australia and Europe by eliminating the need for a stopover.
The successful 24-hour test represents a significant step toward the future of ultra-long-haul commercial aviation, bringing the era of direct flights lasting an entire day closer to reality.
