Qantas has unveiled its first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR during final assembly in Toulouse, France, where the aircraft is entering ground and flight testing ahead of delivery scheduled for late 2026.
The first A350 assigned to Qantas has left the assembly phase in Toulouse and is now moving into the test campaign ahead of delivery. The aircraft, registered F-WZNK for flight testing, has already received its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and major structural components, but still lacks its final livery.
Parts of the fuselage remain exposed, showing the characteristic brown tone of composite materials prior to painting, a stage that precedes ground checks and subsequent flight trials scheduled over the coming weeks.
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The aircraft is the first of 12 ordered by Qantas for Project Sunrise, a program launched in 2017 to enable nonstop flights from Australia’s east coast to Europe and North America. Initial routes will link Sydney directly to London Heathrow and New York JFK, covering close to 10,000 nautical miles with flight times approaching 22 hours.
To achieve that range, Airbus modified the A350-1000 with an additional fuel tank adding roughly 20,000 liters of capacity. The aircraft also features aerodynamic and systems adjustments to support sustained ultra-long-haul operations.
Cabin layout has been redesigned to reduce passenger count and increase comfort on flights lasting nearly a full day. The aircraft will carry 238 passengers, divided into four classes: six First suites, 52 Business suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy seats.
The First cabin includes enclosed suites with a separate armchair and a flat bed measuring about two meters in length. Business class introduces suites with sliding doors, while Premium Economy seats include extended leg support and adjustable headrests. Economy retains a 33-inch seat pitch and individual entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity.
A central feature of the aircraft is a dedicated “Wellbeing Zone,” an open area available to all passengers designed to encourage movement during the flight. The space will offer guided stretching content and light refreshments aimed at reducing fatigue over long durations.
Lighting inside the cabin has been calibrated to support circadian rhythms, helping passengers adjust to destination time zones. The aircraft will also be equipped with high-speed connectivity throughout the flight.
Project Sunrise was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain constraints affecting Airbus production, but the rollout of the first aircraft indicates the program has entered its execution phase. After testing in France, the aircraft is expected to be delivered to Qantas before the end of the year, with commercial operations planned for 2027.
