A revolutionary new aircraft designed to connect the UK and Australia without a stopover has made history after completing a 19-hour test flight. The custom-built Airbus A350-1000ULR touched down in Australia on Friday morning after a marathon 10,500-mile (17,000km) journey from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.
Tracked by over 10,000 aviation fans on Flightradar24, the jet became the most-watched flight in the world as it pushed the boundaries of modern travel. Built specifically for Australian flag carrier Qantas and its ambitious "Project Sunrise", the ultra-long-range jet is designed to finally link London and Sydney with direct, non-stop flights starting in October 2027.
Aircraft design and flight details
The aircraft features a specialised rear fuel tank carrying an extra 20,000 litres, giving it the incredible capability to stay airborne for up to 22 hours continuously. Four Airbus pilots and five test engineers were on board to monitor the aircraft's systems during the 19-hour and 13-minute delivery journey.
Route strategy and passenger experience
While non-stop flights between the UK and Australia usually head east, Qantas revealed an unusual strategy for its London route - flying over the North Pole. During the Northern Hemisphere's winter, roughly 20% of flights will head north over Alaska, Greenland and Iceland before descending into London. By taking advantage of favourable tailwinds and lighter air traffic, this alternative route will cut total travel time down to between 19 hours 25 minutes and 20 hours 55 minutes, depending on conditions.
Crossing up to 11 time zones presents a major challenge for passenger body clocks. To combat extreme jet lag, Qantas partnered with the University of Sydney sleep experts to redesign the entire in-flight experience. This includes keeping the cabin dark for a full 12 hours, helping passengers sleep naturally despite the rapid time-zone shift.
The aircraft also features 12 circadian lighting scenes, including simulated sunsets, to help the body clock adapt. Meals are strategically timed - with low-fat, high-protein options before rest and alertness-boosting spices upon waking. Passengers can also use a dedicated wellbeing zone between Economy and Premium Economy to stretch and follow guided exercises throughout the record-breaking journey.
Comparison with current record
Before Project Sunrise launches to passengers in 2027, the world's longest commercial flight remains Singapore Airlines SQ23/SQ24 between Singapore and New York. Covering 9,537 miles (15,349 km) on an Airbus A350-900ULR, the non-stop trek takes nearly 19 hours. Qantas' new route will soon shatter both records, stretching an extra 1,000 miles to 10,500 miles and pushing flight times up to 21 hours.
