Giant Aircraft Flies 17,000 Kilometers Nonstop and Stays in the Air for 19 Hours
The Airbus A3501000ULR, developed to be used on the world's longest non-stop passenger flights, has successfully completed its uninterrupted test flight from France to Australia. The aircraft, which traveled approximately 17,000 kilometers without refueling, stayed aloft for 19 hours and 13 minutes. It is anticipated that this model, prepared for Qantas's Project Sunrise program, will conduct commercial flights in the future that could last up to 22 hours.
It took 19 hours and 13 minutes to reach Australia from France.
The Airbus A3501000ULR took off from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, at 07.33 in the morning on July 23. The aircraft, which covered a route of approximately 17,000 kilometers without refueling, landed at Melbourne Airport the next day at 10.46 local time. Thus, the model reached Australian soil for the first time.
Four Airbus test pilots and five flight test engineers were on duty during the flight. The team examined the performance of the fuel transfer system, cabin ventilation, temperature control, and other aircraft systems under long flight conditions. The journey also aroused the intense interest of aviation enthusiasts. More than 67,000 people tracked the aircraft's route on Flightradar24, making the flight the most-watched globally on the day of the journey.
An additional tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters has been installed for flights lasting 22 hours.
The A3501000ULR, unlike the standard model, is equipped with an additional fuel tank of 20,000 liters embedded in its body. This system, known as the rear center tank, extends the aircraft's range by approximately a thousand nautical miles. The specially developed model is aimed to cover approximately 18,500 kilometers and, under suitable conditions, stay airborne for up to 22 hours.
Qantas plans to initially use the aircraft for non-stop flights between Sydney and London as part of Project Sunrise. The flights, scheduled to commence in October 2027, will shorten the currently transfer-required journey by approximately four hours. The company also plans to launch flights between Sydney and New York following the initiation of the London route.
The company has placed an order for a total of 12 units of this model. While standard A3501000 aircraft can carry more than 300 passengers, the models prepared for Project Sunrise will have their seating capacity reduced to 238.
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