Qantas is preparing to launch the first 22-hour-long direct flights from London to the east coast of Australia, potentially cutting hours off passenger journey times. The Airbus A350-1000ULR, capable of being airborne for 22 hours, made its maiden test departure from Toulouse, France, on Tuesday afternoon. Pilots tested the plane for about four hours, officially kicking off a two-month testing window.
Test Flight Milestone
The test flight is the first of several ahead of planned direct flights from London to the Australian east coast. The plane took off from Toulouse and will now be redesigned by Qantas, including the installation of four different types of seating. This aircraft is the second of 12 A350-1000ULR planes built for the airline, featuring an extra fuel tank and lighter, more efficient fridges to maximise travel distance.
Performance and Range
Pilots and crew tested the new fuel system and carried out general performance analysis. The extra tank adds a whopping 1,118 miles of range. A Qantas spokesperson said the test flight ran for three hours and 43 minutes, reaching an altitude of more than 41,000 feet. The successful first flight marks the beginning of a two-month testing campaign, with the aircraft to complete around 80 hours of flight testing and undergo extensive on-ground checks and certification of new and redesigned components.
Delivery and Routes
Qantas plans to announce the first route and timing of passenger flights on the new plane later this month. This comes after Airbus admitted supply chain issues pushed back delivery by some four months. The plane will be refitted and given a fresh coat of paint ahead of its delivery to the airline in April. The next four planes after April will arrive in quick succession, according to the Qantas spokesperson.
Comparison with Existing Flights
Qantas currently flies non-stop Perth-London flights that take about 18 hours. It is hoped the new planes would cut hours from passenger journeys. Singapore Airlines flies the longest commercial flights in the world, from New York and New Jersey to Singapore. The new Qantas planes would be the first non-stop flights from Australia's east coast to both London and New York, offering significant time savings for travellers.
