Airbus A350 1000ULR Project Sunrise Could Make 10,000 Mile Nonstop Flights a Reality
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Long haul air travel is about to enter a new chapter. Airbus and Qantas are working together on a special aircraft that could operate some of the longest nonstop commercial flights ever attempted.
The aircraft is called the Airbus A350 1000ULR, and it is being developed as part of Qantas’ Project Sunrise program. The goal is simple but ambitious: connect Sydney directly with London and New York without a fuel stop.
If successful, these routes could cover nearly 10,000 nautical miles and keep passengers in the air for around 22 hours.
What Is Project Sunrise?
Project Sunrise takes its name from a historic aviation operation during World War II. At the time, Qantas operated extremely long flights between Sri Lanka and Western Australia that lasted up to 33 hours.
The modern version of Project Sunrise began in 2017 when Qantas started searching for an aircraft capable of flying nonstop between Australia and major global cities such as London and New York.
The airline’s long term plan includes:
- Sydney to New York nonstop
- Sydney to London nonstop
Both routes are expected to take approximately 22 hours.
Qantas has not yet confirmed which route will launch first, although both remain part of the airline’s future plans.
Airbus Begins Flight Testing
Airbus completed the first test flight of the A350 1000ULR in June 2026 near Toulouse, France.
The experimental aircraft spent nearly four hours in the air with:
- Two pilots
- One flight engineer
The purpose of the flight was to collect operational and performance data for the new ultra long range variant.
Testing is expected to continue for around two months. If development stays on schedule, commercial service could begin as early as April 2027.
How Is The A350 1000ULR Different?
Many people assume the world’s longest range airliner would also be the largest. However, Airbus has taken a different approach.
Instead of increasing the aircraft’s size, Airbus modified the existing A350 1000 platform to maximize range and passenger comfort.
A standard Airbus A350 1000 can seat up to 480 passengers. The Project Sunrise version will carry only 238 passengers.
Reducing passenger capacity helps in two important ways:
- More space for passengers on ultra long flights
- Lower weight, allowing additional fuel capacity
Passenger Cabin Layout
The Airbus A350 1000ULR will feature a premium focused cabin configuration.
| Cabin Class | Seats |
|---|---|
| Economy | 140 |
| Premium Economy | 40 |
| Business Class | 52 |
| First Class Suites | 6 |
| Total | 238 |
The aircraft will also include a dedicated Wellbeing Zone where passengers can walk, stretch, and move around during the journey.
On a flight lasting close to 22 hours, that extra space could become one of the most appreciated features on board.
What Gives The Aircraft Its Massive Range?
The key upgrade is an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank installed in the rear centre section of the fuselage.
This extra fuel capacity allows the aircraft to target a range of around 10,000 nautical miles.
Airbus has also increased the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight.
A350 1000ULR Key Upgrades
- Additional 20,000 litre fuel tank
- Range approaching 10,000 nautical miles
- Maximum takeoff weight increased from 319 to 322 metric tons
- Cabin redesigned for fewer passengers and greater comfort
- Dedicated passenger wellbeing area
Together, these changes allow the aircraft to carry enough fuel for routes that were previously impractical for nonstop commercial operations.
Why These Flights Matter
Travelers flying between Australia and cities such as London or New York currently need at least one stop on many itineraries.
Project Sunrise aims to remove that stop entirely.
The benefits include:
- Reduced travel interruptions
- Faster overall journey times
- Greater convenience for business and leisure travelers
- Improved passenger comfort compared with traditional long haul connections
While ticket prices are unlikely to be cheap, passengers will gain the convenience of reaching their destination without changing aircraft midway through the trip.
Final Thoughts
The Airbus A350 1000ULR Project Sunrise aircraft represents one of the most ambitious commercial aviation projects in recent years. By combining extra fuel capacity, a lighter passenger load, and a cabin designed specifically for ultra long journeys, Airbus and Qantas hope to make nonstop Sydney to London and Sydney to New York flights a reality.
If testing continues successfully, travelers could see these record breaking routes enter commercial service in 2027, setting a new benchmark for long distance air travel.
Sources and References
Official Sources
- Qantas Project Sunrise
- https://www.qantas.com/en-us
- Official airline website with Project Sunrise updates, fleet information, and future route plans.
- Airbus A350 1000ULR Flight Testing
- https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2026-06-flight-testing-the-a350-1000ulr
- Official Airbus report covering the A350 1000ULR certification and flight test program.
- Airbus A350 1000ULR Takes To The Skies
- https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-06-worlds-longest-range-aircraft-the-airbus-a350-1000ulr-takes-to-the-skies
- Airbus press release about the first flight of the Project Sunrise aircraft.
Trusted Aviation & News Sources
- Reuters
- https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/qantas-announce-first-route-ultra-long-haul-project-sunrise-flights-2026-06-16/
- Coverage of Qantas selecting London as the first Project Sunrise route.
- Reuters
- https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/sleep-light-science-behind-qantas-bet-20-hour-flights-2026-06-19/
- Details on passenger comfort, wellness zones, and cabin design research.
- FlightGlobal
- https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/06/modified-a350-1000-for-qantass-project-sunrise-conducts-maiden-flight/
- Aviation industry coverage of the A350 1000ULR test and certification program.
- Aerospace Global News
- https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/qantas-airbus-a350-1000-ultra-long-haul-project-sunrise/
- Technical overview of the aircraft, fuel tank upgrades, and cabin layout.
Airbus A350 1000ULR Project Sunrise FAQs
What is Airbus A350 1000ULR Project Sunrise?
Project Sunrise is a partnership between Airbus and Qantas aimed at launching some of the world's longest nonstop commercial flights. The Airbus A350 1000ULR is being developed to connect Sydney directly with London and New York without a fuel stop.
How far can the Airbus A350 1000ULR fly?
The Airbus A350 1000ULR is designed to fly nearly 10,000 nautical miles nonstop. This range would allow direct flights between Sydney and cities such as London and New York.
How long will Project Sunrise flights take?
The planned Sydney to London and Sydney to New York routes are expected to take around 22 hours, making them among the longest nonstop commercial flights in the world.
When did Airbus begin testing the A350 1000ULR?
Airbus completed the first test flight of the A350 1000ULR in June 2026 near Toulouse, France. The flight lasted nearly four hours and was used to collect performance and operational data.
What makes the Airbus A350 1000ULR different from a standard A350 1000?
The ultra long range version includes an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank, a higher maximum takeoff weight, fewer passenger seats, and a cabin layout designed for greater comfort on very long flights.
How many passengers will the Airbus A350 1000ULR carry?
The Project Sunrise aircraft will carry 238 passengers, including 140 economy seats, 40 premium economy seats, 52 business class seats, and six first class suites.
What is the Wellbeing Zone on the A350 1000ULR?
The Wellbeing Zone is a dedicated area where passengers can walk, stretch, and move around during the flight. It is designed to improve comfort during journeys that can last up to 22 hours.
What gives the Airbus A350 1000ULR its extended range?
The aircraft uses an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank installed in the rear centre fuselage and benefits from an increased maximum takeoff weight of 322 metric tons.
When could Project Sunrise flights enter commercial service?
If testing and certification proceed as planned, Qantas expects the Airbus A350 1000ULR Project Sunrise aircraft to enter commercial service in 2027.
Why is Project Sunrise important for travelers?
Project Sunrise aims to eliminate stopovers on some of the world's longest routes, reducing travel interruptions and offering a more convenient travel experience between Australia, Europe, and North America.
