Qantas has unveiled its second Airbus A350-1000ULR, which has recently left the Toulouse assembly line as part of its ambitious Project Sunrise. This new aircraft is designed to facilitate some of the world’s longest non-stop commercial flights, connecting Australia's East Coast directly to global hubs such as London and New York.
Project Sunrise, initiated in 2017, aims to establish ultra-long-haul routes that eliminate the need for stopovers. Named after the WWII-era Double Sunrise flights, the project has seen extensive feasibility studies, including research flights on Boeing 787 aircraft in 2019. Despite a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline decided to proceed with the Airbus A350-1000ULR, choosing it over the Boeing 777X.
Aircraft Configuration and Routes
Qantas is configuring 12 A350-1000ULRs with a total of 238 seats, emphasizing passenger comfort over maximum capacity. The aircraft features 140 Economy seats, along with premium cabins including 52 Business Class seats, 40 Premium Economy seats, and 6 first-class suites. The airline ensures a focus on passenger wellbeing with amenities like wider seats, ergonomic support, and onboard stretching options to combat deep vein thrombosis during flights exceeding 20 hours.
The airline plans to initially deploy these jets on short- to medium-haul routes, such as Auckland, and gradually introduce them to premier ultra-long-haul routes. Future flights from Sydney to London and New York are targeted to be nonstop, reducing the current need for stopovers and connecting flights. Melbourne is also expected to serve as a key hub for Project Sunrise services, once delivery of the aircraft is complete.
Overall, the A350-1000ULR represents a significant step in the airline's strategy to enhance global connectivity and maintain a competitive edge in ultra-long-haul aviation, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered soon.
