Qantas’ Project Sunrise has hit a major milestone on the route to directly connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York for the first time with the successful test flight of its inaugural Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft in France on 2 June 2026.
Operated by two Airbus test flight pilots, three flight test engineers and one ground test engineer, the A350-1000ULR took off from Toulouse and flew for three hours and 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic Coast.
Airbus and Qantas confirmed the postponed delivery of the first Project Sunrise ultra-long-range A350 to April 2027 instead of later this year due to supply chain issues.
The inaugural ultra-long-range A350 test flight marks the beginning of a two-month testing campaign that will enable the aircraft to fly ultra-long-haul sectors.
The first flight focused on testing the aircraft’s primary systems, such as the specialised fuel system that will facilitate the upcoming nonstop commercial flights of up to 22 hours between Australia’s east coast and NYC or London.
Qantas’ ultra-long-range A350 will now complete 80 hours of flight testing and extensive on-ground checks.
The first Qantas A350 rolled off the assembly line in April 2026, fitted with all components, including Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, fuselage, wings and landing gear.
The second Project Sunrise A350, also due in April 2027, is now progressing through the Airbus assembly line with its four-cabin fit-out and Qantas livery painting.
Qantas will announce the first Project Sunrise route and timing of its inaugural commercial services in late June 2026.
While the first test flight is a technical milestone, the route announcement is a highly anticipated moment for many Aussie travellers and advisors as Qantas moves closer to launching some of the world’s longest commercial flights.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The test flight of the first Qantas Project Sunrise aircraft is more than a fleet milestone; it will redefine long-haul travel from Australia and give advisors fresh inspiration for US- and UK-bound clients.
