Qantas, Project Sunrise's A350 takes shape in Toulouse

The Qantas A350-1000ULR aircraft, set to mark a new era in intercontinental travel, has entered the final assembly phase at Airbus' facilities in Toulouse, marking a decisive step towards the debut of the world's longest non-stop flights between Australia, London and New York.

The Australian airline and Airbus have completed the main production milestones: the front, middle and rear sections of the fuselage, the wings, tail and landing gear that have already been assembled. In the coming days, the aircraft will be transferred to a dedicated hangar for the installation of Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and flight instruments, ahead of an intense test program scheduled for 2026.

Thanks to an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank and technologically advanced systems, the A350-1000ULR will be able to fly for up to 22 hours non-stop, reducing travel time by up to four hours compared to current routes with an intermediate stop. The aircraft will offer 238 seats in a configuration optimized for comfort, including a dedicated wellness area between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, with spaces for stretching, on-screen motion programs and hydration stations. 

A scientific design that reduces jet lag and improves well-being on board. The cabins, developed with designer David Caon and experts from the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, include lighting designed to regulate circadian rhythms and on-board services calibrated to the schedules of the human body, the result of specific research on sleep and passenger health.

The project, named Project Sunrise in homage to the legendary "Double Sunrise" flights of the Second World War, aims to overcome the "tyranny of distances" and redefine the concept of ultra-long-haul travel.

The first of 12 Airbus A350-1000ULRs will be delivered at the end of 2026, with the start of Project Sunrise commercial flights scheduled for the first half of 2027.