TOULOUSE- Qantas Airways (QF) has reached a visible milestone in its Project Sunrise program as its first Airbus A350-1000ULR was spotted fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines on the apron at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) in France.
The aircraft, carrying test registration F-WZNK and manufacturer serial number MSN 707, is the first of up to 12 ultra-long-range widebodies ordered by the airline, Simple Flying reported.
Qantas (QF) expects delivery by the end of 2026, with plans to launch nonstop services from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York JFK Airport (JFK).
Project Sunrise Moves Closer To Reality
Qantas first announced Project Sunrise in 2017, intending to operate the world’s longest commercial flights directly from Australia’s east coast to Europe and North America’s eastern seaboard.
The airline signed a firm order for up to 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft in 2022, selecting the type for its extended range capability powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine.
The frame for MSN 707 was first assembled in November 2025, and the aircraft has now progressed to engine installation and ground testing at the Airbus facility in Toulouse. These routes will eliminate the need for stopovers, such as the current Auckland Airport (AKL) transit required on the airline’s existing New York service.
The A350-1000ULR stretches 242 feet (73.7 meters) in length with a wingspan of 212 feet. It carries a maximum cruise speed of approximately Mach 0.85, translating to around 652 mph (1,049 km/h).
At that speed, the Sydney to New York sector will take roughly 22 hours, while Sydney to London will require between 20 and 22 hours.
Cabin Configuration And Wellbeing Features
Qantas has configured the aircraft with 238 seats across four classes: six in First, 52 in Business, 40 in Premium Economy, and 140 in Economy. More than 40% of all seats fall within the premium cabins, a deliberate strategy to attract high-yield passengers on ultra-long-haul sectors.
The airline partnered with Caon Design, chef Neil Perry, and the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to develop the onboard experience. A dedicated Wellbeing Zone allows passengers to move, stretch, and perform light exercises during the flight, with snacks and refreshments available in the space.
Custom lighting across 12 scenes, including Sunrise, Sunset, and Awake modes, is designed to help passengers adjust to destination time zones and reduce the effects of jet lag. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity will be available across all cabins, allowing passengers to sync personal devices with the seatback entertainment system.
Qantas Fleet Outlook
Beyond the A350-1000ULR, Qantas has 24 A350-1000 aircraft on order in total. The airline also recently took delivery of the Airbus A321XLR, with four currently in operation and 44 more on order.
The A321XLR is the longest-range single-aisle aircraft in production, and QF currently deploys it on domestic routes connecting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
Qantas plans to introduce the A321XLR on international services between Brisbane and Manila later this year. Further, the broader fleet includes 16 A330-200s, 12 A330-300s, 10 A380-800s, 79 Boeing 737-800s, and 14 Boeing 787-9s, with additional 787-9 and 787-10 deliveries pending.
As more A350-1000ULR aircraft enter service, industry observers expect the airline to expand its ultra-long-haul network beyond London and New York to additional destinations in Europe and North America.
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