Qantas’ first Airbus A350-1000ULR — the aircraft set to make non-stop flights from Australia’s east coast to London and New York a reality — has entered final assembly in Toulouse, marking a major milestone for the airline’s ultra-long-haul ambitions.
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The national carrier and Airbus have released the first images of the jet as key sections of the airframe, including the forward, centre and rear fuselage, wings, tail and landing gear, were joined together at the manufacturer’s French facility.
The aircraft will move to a new hangar this week for installation of its Rolls-Royce engines and flight test instruments ahead of an extensive flight test program in 2026.
The A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) variant has been custom-built for Qantas’ “Project Sunrise” — an initiative to launch the world’s longest commercial flights, connecting Sydney and Melbourne directly with London and New York. Each flight will last up to 22 hours non-stop, enabled by a 20,000-litre auxiliary fuel tank and upgraded onboard systems.
Qantas says the new aircraft will cut total travel time by up to four hours compared to one-stop services, while incorporating design features aimed at reducing jetlag and improving comfort. The Project Sunrise name pays tribute to the airline’s Second World War “Double Sunrise” missions, which saw aircraft stay aloft long enough to witness two dawns during their flights between Australia and Sri Lanka.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson said the latest progress brings the long-awaited project closer to launch.
“Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers,” Ms Hudson said. “Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world.”
“These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science-backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing.”
The A350’s interior has been designed in collaboration with Australian industrial designer David Caon and researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, incorporating findings from sleep and nutrition science. Features include customised lighting and meal scheduling aimed at helping passengers adjust to new time zones.
Configured with just 238 seats — far fewer than the 300-plus typically found on other A350-1000s — the aircraft will include a dedicated “Wellbeing Zone” between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, offering space to stretch, exercise, and hydrate during the marathon journeys.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs, with the first due for delivery in late 2026 and commercial services scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.
