Airbus completes first test flight of 22-hour ultra-long-range jet

Airbus completed the first test flight of its A350-1000ULR Tuesday, clearing an early milestone for a jet designed to fly 22 hours non-stop and allow Qantas to launch what would become the world's longest commercial route, the European manufacturer said.

The ULR variant, with a maximum range of roughly 18,500 kilometers, would eclipse the current record for the world's longest commercial flight — Singapore Airlines' Singapore-to-New York route at 15,350 kilometers — and mark a new benchmark in ultra-long-haul aviation.

The A350-1000ULR is a modified version of the existing A350-1000 wide-body jet, incorporating an additional fuel tank to reach a maximum range of approximately 18,500 kilometers, or roughly 11,500 miles. The aircraft is capable of remaining airborne for up to 22 hours without landing.

"The aircraft, fitted with special flight test instrumentation, flew for three hours 43 minutes reaching an altitude of slightly above 41,000 feet (12,500 metres)," Airbus said in a statement, according to the Korea Times.

Australian carrier Qantas ordered 12 of the jets to operate non-stop service between Sydney and London — a journey that currently requires at least one layover. The airline has long sought to connect the two cities with a direct flight, and the aircraft was developed in partnership with Airbus to make that technically feasible.

Airbus plans roughly two months of additional testing to certify the ULR modifications before the variant can enter commercial service, the Korea Times reported. Pending successful certification, first delivery to Qantas is scheduled for April 2027.

By comparison, Singapore Airlines' Singapore-to-New York route holds the current record as the world's longest commercial flight at 15,350 kilometers, a journey that takes more than 18 hours. The planned Sydney-London service would surpass that benchmark by a substantial margin.

Should the certification program proceed on schedule, Qantas is set to receive its first A350-1000ULR in April 2027, putting the airline on course to launch the world's longest commercial route.