Qantas Airbus A350-1000ULR Breaks World Record with Historic 24-Hour Flight
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Airbus' ultra-long-range aircraft sets a Guinness World Record after flying more than 23,000 kilometers, marking a major milestone for Qantas' Project Sunrise. Airbus has announced that the A350-1000ULR developed for Qantas Airways has earned a Guinness World Record for the longest flight by distance by a commercial airliner.
The flight took place on July 27–28, 2026, covering 12,503 nautical miles (23,155 kilometers) between Melbourne, Australia, and Toulouse, France, in an impressive 24 hours and 24 minutes.
The record-breaking flight took place on July 27–28, 2026, covering 12,503 nautical miles (23,155 kilometers) between Melbourne, Australia, and Toulouse, France, in an impressive 24 hours and 24 minutes.
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Airbus officially confirmed the achievement on November 9, highlighting a significant milestone in the development of Qantas' ambitious Project Sunrise.
A Historic Flight Across the Globe
The aircraft departed Melbourne Airport (MEL) on July 27 and flew an extended route across the Pacific Ocean toward Los Angeles, then continued over North America and the Atlantic before passing over London and arriving in Toulouse (TLS). Only 13 people were aboard, including Airbus test personnel, two Qantas pilots, and a federation representative.
The flight was part of Airbus' development program to evaluate the aircraft's performance during extremely long operations, particularly its cabin air conditioning and fuel management systems.
Credit: Airbus
The A350-1000ULR features an additional rear center fuel tank designed to support the demanding distances required for Qantas' future nonstop routes. Although the flight set a world record, it carried a limited number of people and does not represent the aircraft's commercial range with a full passenger payload.
Project Sunrise: The Future of Ultra-Long-Haul Travel
The achievement brings Qantas one step closer to launching Project Sunrise, an initiative designed to connect Australia directly with major destinations in Europe and North America. Qantas plans to operate 12 specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, each accommodating 238 passengers across four cabins, with flights lasting up to 22 hours.
The airline currently expects its first aircraft delivery in April 2027, followed by the launch of nonstop Sydney–London services in October 2027 and Sydney–New York flights in mid-2028.
These plans remain subject to aircraft certification and regulatory approvals.
A Major Milestone for Airbus and Qantas
The record-setting flight demonstrates the endurance capabilities of the A350-1000ULR and represents an important step toward a new generation of ultra-long-haul passenger services.
As Airbus continues development and certification work, Qantas is preparing to introduce routes that could significantly change how passengers travel between Australia and the rest of the world.
With more than 23,000 kilometers covered in a single flight, the A350-1000ULR has already made aviation history before entering commercial service.
