Airbus A350 jet completes 24-hour nonstop Australia-Europe flight

An Airbus A350-1000ULR undergoing test for record-setting commercial flights landed in France on Tuesday after completing a nonstop 24-hour-and-24-minute flight from Melbourne that drew heavy attention from online trackers. Airbus says the specially adapted jet, featuring an extra fuel tank, stayed airborne for 24 hours and 24 minutes, covering 23,075 kilometers (14,338 miles) without stopping, before touching down at Airbus’ factory in Toulouse. The test is a key step in Qantas’ Project Sunrise, targeting the world’s longest commercial passenger services by launching a nonstop Sydney–London route from 2027. Airbus has run the test campaign since June, and Qantas has ordered 12 modified aircraft.