Qantas’s first A350-1000ULR enters the final assembly stage in Toulouse and will become the longest-range aircraft in the airline’s history, capable of flying up to 22 hours and featuring a cabin designed for well-being on ultra-long-haul flights.
Sydney — Qantas is moving ever closer to realizing its ambitious Project Sunrise, which aims to launch non-stop direct flights from Australia to London and New York.
The first Airbus A350-1000ULR (serial number F-WZNK, MSN 707), designated for the program, has entered the final assembly phase in Toulouse, France, with delivery scheduled for late 2026.
+ Click here to watch the video of the first A350-1000ULR
The model will be the longest-range passenger aircraft ever operated by the Australian carrier, capable of performing flights lasting up to 22 continuous hours. To achieve this range, the A350 received an additional central fuel tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters.
Structure almost complete and Rolls-Royce engines
The main fuselage sections of the first jet have already been joined, with the wings, landing gear, and tail also installed. In the coming days, the aircraft will be moved to a specialized hangar, where it will receive its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and electronic systems for ground and flight testing.
Comfort and “Wellbeing Zone”
The interior layout of the aircraft has been designed to ensure maximum comfort on long-duration flights. With only 238 seats, the Qantas A350-1000ULR will feature increased legroom and an exclusive area called the “Wellbeing Zone” — located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins — where passengers will be able to stretch and move around during the flight.
The concept was developed following a series of studies conducted in 2019 that assessed crew and passenger health and comfort during ultra-long-haul flights. The results highlighted the importance of including dedicated spaces for mobility and relaxation on board.
A new era of ultra-long-haul flights
Project Sunrise marks a historic step for Qantas, paving the way for a new generation of non-stop intercontinental flights, directly linking Australia’s east coast — including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane — to destinations such as London, Paris, and New York.
In total, Qantas plans to operate 12 units of the A350-1000ULR, positioning the aircraft as a cornerstone of its global expansion strategy and its mission to provide faster, more comfortable, and technologically advanced travel experiences.
Origin of “Aurora” project
The program began in 2017, when Qantas announced its plans to launch non-stop flights between Australia and Europe or North America. Initially called Project Aurora, the concept was presented to Boeing and Airbus as a technical challenge: to create an aircraft capable of flying across the planet without stops. The A350-1000ULR ultimately became Airbus’s answer to that ambition — and it is now preparing to take off into a new era of commercial aviation.
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Source and images: Qantas | Airbus. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
