Qantas tests new ultra long-range Airbus in 17,000km direct flight from France to Melbourne

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Qantas’s new ultra long-distance aircraft has landed on Australian soil for the first time on Friday after a 19-hour test flight from France. The Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for Qantas to complete some of the longest commercial flights in the world, set off on a nonstop journey from Airbus’ manufacturing facility Toulouse, France on Thursday, destined for Melbourne. The planes have been designed to fly up to 22 hours nonstop for the company’s Sydney to London direct route, expected to start in October 2027. The test flight has attracted attention from transport enthusiasts, with more than 67,000 people following its almost 17,000km path on flightradar24.com on Friday morning – the most-watched…

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