Airbus A350-1000ULR Completed Record Test Flight
The commercial jet traveled 12,460 nautical miles nonstop from Melbourne to Toulouse on July 27, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Air Travel
Live Poll
Would you choose to take a non-stop flight lasting over 20 hours for your next trip?
An Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a record-breaking nonstop test flight on July 27, 2026, covering 12,460 nautical miles. The journey lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes, crossing three continents and 17 time zones.
Why it matters
The successful test flight proves the operational viability of the aircraft for upcoming ultra-long-haul commercial services between Sydney and London. It positions Airbus to support Qantas in launching these ambitious routes by October 2027.
The A350-1000ULR is equipped with a 5,283-gallon rear center fuel tank to support its record-setting range. As of August 2026, Airbus has delivered 734 A350 aircraft with 1,624 total units ordered.
The players
Airbus
This global aerospace corporation designs, manufactures, and supports commercial and military aircraft.
Qantas
This national flag carrier of Australia operates extensive international and domestic air travel services.
Boeing
This multinational aerospace company manufactures aircraft and is the primary competitor to Airbus in the commercial jet market.
The details
Engineers evaluated upgraded refrigeration units and pressure systems during the flight, which originated at Melbourne Airport and concluded at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The project supports 12 firm orders placed by Qantas for the specialized variant.
Timeline
July 27, 2026: The aircraft departed Melbourne on its record flight.
August 2026: Total A350 deliveries reached 734 units.
First half 2027: Boeing expects to receive 777X certification.
October 2027: Qantas plans to launch scheduled ultra-long-haul services.
Roadmap
This achievement underscores a growing industry focus on enabling non-stop connectivity across the globe's longest remaining gaps. The development positions Airbus firmly against the yet-to-be-certified Boeing 777X in the race to dominate the ultra-long-haul market.
Travelers should anticipate new direct flight options between major international hubs like Sydney and London starting in late 2027. These ultra-long-haul routes are expected to significantly reduce total travel time by eliminating intermediate stopovers.
The takeaway
The successful 24-hour test flight demonstrates that extreme-distance air travel is increasingly feasible with current aircraft modifications. Passengers can expect to see major shifts in global connectivity as airlines integrate these ultra-long-range models into their fleets.
What happens next
Qantas is scheduled to launch its ultra-long-haul commercial services in October 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving flight capabilities in our Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
Live Poll
Would you choose to take a non-stop flight lasting over 20 hours for your next trip?
