Air TransportQantas A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise in final assembly
The first A350-1000ULR designated for Qantas’ Project Sunrise is in final assembly at Airbus’ Toulouse facility, with delivery scheduled for late 2026.
Project Sunrise aims to launch direct, non-stop flights from Australia to London and New York, introducing new ultra-long-haul routes to the carrier’s network.
The A350-1000ULR is engineered for up to 22 hours of non-stop flight and features a dedicated 20,000-liter auxiliary fuel tank to extend its range.
The aircraft will have a 238-seat configuration, significantly fewer than the typical 300-plus seating in other A350-1000s, reflecting an emphasis on passenger space for longer journeys.
Cabins are being developed in collaboration with aviation experts and an Australian industrial designer, and will include a wellness zone located between Premium Economy and Economy classes.
The enhanced systems onboard are intended to support passenger comfort during extended operations, addressing the demands of non-stop intercontinental flights.
The aircraft’s entry into production comes as Qantas advances its strategy to compete in the ultra-long-haul segment, leveraging Airbus technology to connect Australia directly to key markets.
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