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Thursday, 30 July 2026

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

· The Guardian

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

Airbus A350–1000ULR becomes most watched plane on flight tracking websites as Qantas tests new aircraft for its Project Sunrise

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.

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