Qantas Project Sunrise: 24-hour Airbus A350 test flight becomes second most-tracked ever

A modified Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a 24-hour and 24-minute test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, covering 23,075 kilometers and crossing three continents, two oceans, and 17 time zones. The flight, part of Qantas' Project Sunrise initiative, marked a major step toward launching the world’s longest non-stop commercial passenger flight between Sydney and London by October 2027. More than 3.6 million people tracked the flight via Flightradar24, placing it as the second most-followed flight in the platform’s history. The test flight took place recently, with the aircraft landing in Toulouse, France, after traveling non-stop from Melbourne. During the journey, the plane reached a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet and achieved a top ground speed of 662 knots. It witnessed two sunrises and two sunsets due to the extensive distance covered. The flight was conducted under Airbus’s certification program for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which aims to offer direct, non-stop services from Australia’s east coast to key international destinations. Qantas has been developing Project Sunrise since 2017, aiming to eliminate layovers on transcontinental routes. The company confirmed earlier this year that the service will commence in October 2027. The Sydney-to-London flight is expected to cover approximately 17,000 kilometers in a single leg, potentially reducing travel time by several hours compared to current options. In addition to the London route, Qantas has also planned a Sydney-to-New York service under the same initiative. To achieve these long distances, each of the 12 modified A350-1000ULR aircraft ordered by Qantas will feature a custom-designed center tank capable of holding an extra 20,000 liters of fuel. This modification allows the aircraft to maintain sufficient range for non-stop flights. However, the increased fuel capacity comes at the cost of reduced passenger capacity, with each aircraft accommodating only 238 passengers, significantly fewer than the standard A350-1000’s 410-seat configuration. The aircraft will be configured with four distinct cabins, including six first-class suites, 52 business-class suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. Over 70 percent of passengers will enjoy a seat pitch of at least 33 inches, emphasizing comfort and space. Every traveler, regardless of cabin class, will have access to a Wellbeing Zone designed to promote movement, hydration, and overall passenger wellness during the lengthy journey. Qantas has emphasized that the cabin design is based on extensive research into jet lag and passenger health. Features include adjustable circadian lighting to help travelers adjust to new time zones, carefully timed meal services, and an in-flight entertainment schedule aimed at promoting restful sleep. Additionally, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio connectivity will be available throughout the aircraft. The success of the recent test flight follows another notable event in Flightradar24 history, the tracking of Queen Elizabeth II’s final journey in 2022, which saw over five million viewers follow the movement of her coffin from Edinburgh to London. That flight remains the most-tracked in the platform’s records, underscoring the public interest in significant air travel events. As Qantas moves closer to launching Project Sunrise, the airline continues to focus on balancing technological innovation with passenger comfort. The test flight demonstrated the feasibility of operating ultra-long-haul routes using specially modified aircraft, setting the stage for future developments in global air travel. The company has not yet disclosed further details about the exact timing of the service’s commencement or potential challenges related to regulatory approvals and operational logistics.