Qantas has unveiled the first glimpse of its revolutionary new aircraft that promises to redefine long-haul air travel, releasing images of the Airbus A350-1000ULR currently being assembled in France.
A Landmark in Aviation Assembly
The specially configured ultra long range jet is taking shape on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, with its fuselage sections, wings, and landing gear now securely attached. This marks a significant milestone for Qantas's ambitious 'Project Sunrise', which aims to connect Australia's east coast directly with London and New York.
According to the airline, the aircraft will soon be moved to a new hangar where its engines and critical instruments will be installed, paving the way for test flights scheduled to begin in 2026.
Transforming Transcontinental Travel
Qantas has placed firm orders for a dozen of these advanced aircraft. When operational from 2027, they will undertake the world's longest commercial passenger flights, with journey times stretching up to 22 hours.
This represents a substantial time saving for travellers. The non-stop services will cut up to four hours off the total travel time compared to the current one-stop routes, making journeys between Australia and these major global hubs significantly faster.
Qantas Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson, in a speech ahead of the airline's annual general meeting in Brisbane, emphasised the aircraft's transformative potential. "This is an aircraft that will change what's possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel," she stated.
Broader Business Context and New Cabin Products
The imagery release coincided with Qantas's annual gathering, where the company also provided a business update. While international revenue growth is expected to hold steady at 2-3%, domestic revenue projections for the first half of the year are at the lower end of previous guidance, at around 3% growth.
The airline cited continued strong demand for leisure travel, but noted that corporate travel, outside of the resource sector, has been softer than anticipated.
In other developments, Qantas announced the introduction of a new cabin product for domestic and short-haul flights. Dubbed Qantas Economy Plus, it will offer passengers extra leg-room, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead locker space. The new option will be available for purchase from February, with top-tier frequent flyers receiving complimentary access.
With the first aircraft delivery expected late next year, Qantas teams are preparing for what Hudson described as a "landmark moment for international aviation."
