He Airbus A350-1000ULR developed by the European company for the Australian Qantas has completed the first flight of more than 24 hours by a jet airliner. The aircraft took off from Melbourne on July 27 and landed in Toulouse the next day after staying 24 hours and 24 minutes in the airtime in which he traveled 23,075 kilometers without making stops. Qantas already had operated between 1943 and 1945 non-stop commercial flights of up to 33 hours with seaplanes Catherinealthough they traveled a much shorter distance, about 6,500 kilometers. The A350-1000ULR is now the longest flying non-stop commercial jet airliner.
According to The Guardian, the flight surpasses the record set in 2005 for a Boeing 777-200LRwhich flew during 22 hours and 42 minutes between Hong Kong and London. That plane took a deliberately long route over the Pacific Ocean instead of heading directly toward Europe.
The A350 has also not followed the shortest route between Melbourne and Toulouse. On the outward flight he had arrived in Australia from France, crossing the Indian Ocean in 19 hours and 13 minutes. For the return, ‘the plane flew northeast over the Pacific, flew over the United States and Canada, then crossed the Atlantic and descended over the United Kingdom to Toulouse. It crossed three continents and two oceans, with two sunsets and two sunrises along the way.‘, Qantas explained in a post on LinkedIn. The goal was to take the plane beyond its planned duration for future commercial services..
The aircraft is a modified version of the A350-1000which with 73 meters in length, 64 in wingspan and 17 in height is the largest model in the Airbus long-range family. The main difference is in an additional rear central tank with capacity for about 20,900 liters of fuel. Its installation has required adapting the fuel distribution system and part of the kitchens’ cooling architecture. These modifications must be certified before the model can carry passengers.
The plane uses two engines Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 and also incorporates a new double crew rest compartment. During the test, pilots from Airbus and Qantas participated, alternating to limit fatigue and always keep a pilot familiar with the flight situation in the cockpit.
Qantas has commissioned 12 units for him Project Sunriseyour program aimed at connecting non-stop east coast of Australia with London and New York. Flights may last up to 22 hours and cover distances close to 18,500 kilometers. Airbus has increased the aircraft’s range by about 1,850 kilometers to make these routes possible.
The trading setup will have only 238 seatsa much lower figure than usual for an A350-1000. The reduction allows you to lose weight and leave more space for premium cabins, self-service areas and an area where passengers can get up and stretch.
First Qantas A350-1000ULR to be delivered in April 2027. Tickets for the Sydney to London route will go on sale in February and daily flights will begin in October of that year. New York will later join the program.