Airbus jet completes 24-hour flight in push for world's longest commercial route

Airbus completed a test flight lasting more than 24 hours as part of work tied to Qantas’ Project Sunrise, aiming to launch the world’s longest nonstop commercial route. The specially adapted A350-1000ULR flew 14,338 miles from Melbourne, Australia, to Toulouse, France, in 24 hours and 24 minutes, based on Flightradar24 data. The campaign began in June and is expected to run for two months. The flight surpassed a 2005 Boeing 777-200LR record of 13,422 miles from Hong Kong to London in 22 hours and 42 minutes. The aircraft carries an additional fuel tank holding roughly 20,000 more liters, and seats 238 passengers. Qantas ordered 12 jets, with deliveries starting April 2027 and Sydney–London daily nonstop service targeted for October 2027.