Qantas Sets New Record with 24-Hour Non-Stop Flight: Project Sunrise Insights

An Airbus A350-1000ULR test aircraft has achieved a remarkable milestone by completing a non-stop flight exceeding 24 hours, as part of Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise initiative. This groundbreaking mission, which took place on July 23, saw the aircraft travel from Toulouse to Melbourne before returning to France shortly thereafter. The aircraft, designated MSN707, covered an impressive distance of 12,460 nautical miles in a total flight time of 24 hours and 24 minutes, marking a significant achievement in aviation history.

The A350-1000ULR, which made its maiden flight in June, is outfitted with advanced instrumentation and is currently undergoing a series of development tests aimed at confirming its performance capabilities for ultra-long-haul flights. Airbus has indicated that the primary goal of this mission was to validate the aircraft’s ability to manage a 23-hour “block time,” which encompasses the entire duration from departure to arrival. This is particularly relevant for Qantas’ planned commercial flights that are expected to last approximately 21 hours and 40 minutes, allowing for necessary contingencies such as taxiing, diversions, and holding patterns.