A350-1000 ULR Super-Language Airbus completes its first flight and will fly the longest direct flight route worldwide next year (Sydney-London)

According to information from IT House on June 4, the first A350-1000ULR super-distance passenger plane, designed for Australian Airlines Project Sunrise, successfully completed its first flight in Toulouse, France, on June 2.

According to the airfarers, the test aircraft with the serial number MSN 707 took off from Toulouse airport at the Airbus Headquarters, carrying the full flight test equipment, flying in the air for 3 hours and 43 minutes at a maximum cruise altitude of over 41000 feet, and was operated by a special aircrew test crew.

This test, which opened an intensive flight test and compliance certification exercise for about two months, marked a critical step in the Australasia ' s plan to launch a direct Australian no-stop route to major cities around the globe, including London and New York.

A350-1000ULR is a hyper-teleplane type developed by airfarers specifically for the Australian Airlines Sunrise Programme to operate the world's longest commercial passenger route, including a non-stop direct flight route from Sydney to London.

The route is close to 100,000 nautical miles (IT House Note: approximately 18520 km) and the maximum flight time is expected to be 22 hours, which is close to the current recorded level of Singapore-New York direct flights (approximately 15350 km with more than 18 hours).

The increased flight capacity of the aircraft was largely the result of the formation of an additional rear central tank (RCT) in the airframe structure. The tank is designed to be permanently integrated and embedded into the empty abdomen of the aeroplane, allowing an additional load of approximately 2000 litres of fuel, bringing the total fuel load of the whole aircraft to over 170,000 litres, an increase of approximately 1,000 nautical miles over standard A350-1000. Correspondingly, the maximum take-off weight of the modified aircraft is close to 340 tons, and the body structure, the wing load and the fuel delivery system are subject to higher loads.

During the first test flight, the test flight team completed a routine performance test, including a baseline check for high-altitude flight stability and manipulation, as well as a dynamic test of a completely new fuel system architecture, which validated the operational reliability of the Ultimate Continuation Core Hardware.

In addition to the fuel system, passengers will certify this type of aircraft for a new kitchen air-conditioning system specifically designed for ultra-long routes, which will incorporate lighter and more efficient refrigeration units to meet the catering logistics requirements of the 24-hour-long super-long routes. Airlock ventilation and temperature control will also be fully assessed during certification tests. The MSN 707 aircraft will be retrofitted in accordance with the commercial operating standards of AOS, pending completion of all test flights.

Unlike the common A350-1000 high-density seating layout, A350-1000 ULR custom-made A350-100 ULR sets only 238 seats and uses a four-part layout, which is a low-density design for long-range passenger cabins of the same level. The first class is equipped with a flat bed and a self-regulating armchair, and the whole aircraft also has a physical and psychological comfort zone open to all passengers in the centre of the cabin for their movement and relaxation.

The delivery of this type of aircraft has been delayed owing to factors such as continued global supply chain tensions, spare parts shortages and logistics bottlenecks. Airfarers indicate that A350-1000 ULR, the first shelf of Austral, is expected to be delivered in April 2027. Currently, the second A350-1000 ULR, manufactured for Australian Airlines, is in the final phase of the overall loading phase and is scheduled to be completed in the near future, followed by the installation of a four-class high-end layout passenger module and the Roers Royszunda XWB-97 engine, which will be the first-size aircraft to be first delivered to Australian Airlines in April 2027.

Australia has ordered 12 A350-1000 ULRs for the Sunrise Plan and 12 standard A350-1000 for the future operation of its long-range network. According to Australia ' s previously announced schedule, direct commercial flights from Sydney to London and Sydney to New York are scheduled to be officially launched in the second half of 2027.

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