Airbus Aims for Near-10,000 Mile Nonstop Flights with New A350-1000ULR Plane

Airbus and Qantas are collaborating on Project Sunrise, a initiative to develop an aircraft capable of nonstop flights of nearly 10,000 miles.

The project aims to establish routes between Sydney, Australia and NYC, as well as London and Sydney, with estimated flight times of around 22 hours.

The new A350-1000ULR plane, which completed its first experimental flight in June 2026, features a 20,000-liter fuel tank and a reduced seating capacity of 238 passengers, allowing for increased comfort and fuel storage.

The plane is expected to be ready for commercial flights by April 2027, offering a significant improvement in travel comfort for long-haul flights to and from Australia.

The A350-1000ULR has a maximum take-off weight of 322 metric tons and will include a “Wellbeing Zone” for passengers to walk and stretch during the flight.

The plane’s layout will feature 140 economy-class seats, 40 premium economy seats, 52 business-class seats, and six first-class suites, providing a high level of comfort for passengers on these ultra-long-range flights.