{"id":822553,"date":"2026-07-24T07:05:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/822553\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T07:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:05:08","slug":"project-sunrise-qantas-airbus-completes-19-hour-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/822553\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Sunrise: Qantas Airbus completes 19-hour trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thousands of aviation enthusiasts around the world spent their day watching a single aircraft inch across flight-tracking maps as Qantas\u2019 first ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000ULR began its journey from France to Australia.<\/p>\n

The specially built aircraft, destined to operate the airline\u2019s future non-stop service from Sydney, Australia to London, U.K., departed Airbus\u2019 assembly facility in Toulouse, France at 7:33 a.m. local time Thursday morning, then touched down Friday morning in Melbourne, Australia at 10:46 local time, more than 19 hours later. <\/p>\n

Interest in the flight surged almost immediately after takeoff. The aircraft climbed to the top of Flightradar24\u2019s<\/a> list of the world\u2019s most-watched flights, with more than 10,000 people following its progress in real time as it crossed continents toward Australia.<\/p>\n

For aircraft spotters and aviation fans, the journey marks more than just a delivery flight. It is the first glimpse of the aircraft that will eventually power Qantas<\/a>\u2019 long-awaited Project Sunrise, an initiative designed to connect Australia directly with destinations without a fuel stop.<\/p>\n

The Airbus A350-1000ULR has been specially configured for ultra-long-haul operations, allowing it to remain airborne for close to 20 hours. Qantas plans to begin non-stop Sydney-London flights using the aircraft in October 2027.<\/p>\n

The airline has spent years preparing for Project Sunrise, conducting research flights and studying the effects of ultra-long-haul travel on passengers and crew before committing to the aircraft.<\/p>\n

Once in Australia, the jet will undergo additional preparations and testing before entering commercial service.<\/p>\n

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