{"id":164048,"date":"2026-11-09T23:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T17:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=164048"},"modified":"2026-11-09T22:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T17:10:55","slug":"airbus-a350-1000ulr-shatters-guinness-world-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/09\/airbus-a350-1000ulr-shatters-guinness-world-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus A350-1000ULR Shatters Guinness World Record With 24-Hour Nonstop Flight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TOULOUSE\u2013<\/strong> Airbus<\/a> has secured a Guinness World Record for the longest flight by distance by a commercial airliner after its A350-1000ULR completed a non-stop test flight from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) on July 27 and 28, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Airbus-operated flight covered 12,503 nautical miles (23,155 kilometres) in 24 hours and 24 minutes. The ultra-long-range aircraft is being developed for Qantas Airways (QF)<\/a> under Project Sunrise, which aims to connect Sydney with London and New York through non-stop flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus A350-1000ULR Completes Record-Breaking Test Flight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Airbus operated the record-setting flight under the callsign AIB35LR as part of the A350-1000ULR flight test campaign. The aircraft departed Melbourne<\/a> at 5:27 pm local time on Monday, July 27, and arrived in Toulouse at 9:51 am local time on Tuesday, July 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft travelled 12,503 nautical miles, equivalent to approximately 23,155 kilometres, during the journey. The flight lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes, demonstrating the aircraft’s endurance and long-range capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight also formed part of Airbus’ efforts to meet Qantas’ requirements for Project Sunrise. The manufacturer had to operate a sector with a block time of 23 hours, measured from aircraft pushback at departure until arrival at the parking position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test was designed to simulate the operational demands of the longest commercial flights that Qantas plans to introduce with the A350-1000ULR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aircraft Crosses Three Continents and Two Oceans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After departing Melbourne, the aircraft flew over Sydney<\/a> before heading northeast across the Pacific Ocean towards Los Angeles. It crossed the International Date Line before continuing over the North American continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft then crossed the Atlantic Ocean, headed south towards the United Kingdom, flew over London and continued to Toulouse in southwestern France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the journey, the aircraft crossed three continents and two oceans. The extended flight also allowed the crew to witness two sunsets and two sunrises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirteen People Participated in the Record Flight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A total of 13 people were on board the A350-1000ULR during the record-setting flight. The team included three Airbus flight test pilots, two Qantas pilots<\/a>, five Airbus flight test engineers, two Airbus design engineers and one representative of the International Aeronautical Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Airbus flight test pilots were Xavier Pepin, Vincent Sibelle and Josef Bayoud. Qantas was represented by Captain Andrew Coull and Captain David Summergreene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Airbus engineering team included Laurent Rossignol and Nicolas Granier as test flight engineers, alongside flight test engineers Tuan Do, Alexia Plumet and Jaime Angoloti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus design engineers Stefan Gumm and Carsten Obermann<\/strong> also participated in the flight, while Gilles Darriau represented the International Aeronautical Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus Highlights A350-1000ULR Achievement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus<\/strong>, described the record as an important achievement for the manufacturer and its Project Sunrise partnership with Qantas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the flight had fully demonstrated the A350-1000ULR’s ability to undertake extremely long commercial journeys while maintaining an efficient operating model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wagner also acknowledged the contributions of Qantas, Rolls-Royce and other partners involved in developing the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Airbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Airbus Extended the A350-1000ULR’s Range<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The A350-1000ULR is a specialised version of the standard A350-1000, designed to support ultra-long-haul operations from Australia’s east coast to major international destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of its most important modifications is an additional Rear Centre Tank (RCT) integrated into the aircraft’s structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tank provides approximately 20,000 litres of additional fuel capacity and extends the standard A350-1000’s range by around 1,000 nautical miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft also features an increased maximum take-off weight and is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. These modifications allow it to operate routes approaching 10,000 nautical miles with flight times of up to 22 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The additional fuel capacity also provides the necessary range for diversion requirements at the end of long-haul journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Qantas Project Sunrise: Sydney to London and New York<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Qantas ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000ULRs under Project Sunrise to introduce non-stop flights between Australia’s east coast and major international destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline plans to launch daily non-stop services between Sydney and London<\/a> from October 2027. These flights will operate as QF1 and QF2, marking the first time Qantas will connect the two cities without an intermediate stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first aircraft, named Vega, is scheduled for delivery in April 2027. Qantas plans to sell tickets for the Sydney-London service from February 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s Sydney-New York non-stop service is expected to follow from mid-2028, with tickets scheduled to go on sale from August 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR will accommodate 238 passengers across four cabins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabin<\/th>Seats<\/th><\/tr>
First Class<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
Business Class<\/td>52<\/td><\/tr>
Premium Economy<\/td>40<\/td><\/tr>
Economy Class<\/td>140<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/strong><\/td>238<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The configuration gives more than 40% of the aircraft’s seats to premium cabins. Qantas has also designed a dedicated Wellbeing Zone between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins to allow passengers to stretch, hydrate and move around during the extremely long journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the 12 A350-1000ULRs, Qantas has ordered another 12 standard A350-1000 aircraft for its future long-haul network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Cam Wallace LinkedIn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus A350 Family Continues to Expand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The A350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger variant of the Airbus A350 family. The existing passenger line-up includes the A350-900, A350-900ULR<\/a> and A350-1000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus has developed the A350 family around improved fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced passenger comfort for long-haul operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of October 2026, the A350 family had accumulated 1,628 orders from 70 customers. More than 740 aircraft were already operating with 42 airlines worldwide, primarily on long-haul routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The family is also expanding into the cargo market through the A350F freighter. The aircraft completed its maiden flight on September 29, 2026, beginning a planned nine-month flight test campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The A350-1000ULR’s record-setting journey marks another milestone in Airbus’ long-range aircraft development programme. It also brings Qantas closer to introducing non-stop flights between Australia and Europe and North America under Project Sunrise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Qantas’ 12 New Airbus A350s Will Require More Than 1,560 Crew Members<\/a><\/blockquote>