Airbus Close to Achieving New Aviation Milestone with Flight Paving the Way for the World's Longest Commercial Air Route

Airbus announced the successful test flight of its A350-1000 ULR aircraft, a step paving the way for the launch of what is expected to be the world’s longest direct commercial air route between Sydney and London.

According to the French Press Agency, the test flight departed from Toulouse, France, and landed in Melbourne, Australia, lasting approximately 19 hours and 12 minutes and covering a distance of nearly 16,900 kilometers, according to FlightRadar24 data.

The aircraft was specifically designed for ultra-long-haul flights for Australian carrier Qantas, which plans to operate the route after receiving its first aircraft in April 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin about six months later.

Airbus highlighted its long-standing record in long-haul flights, while Australian authorities believe the new route will meet growing demand for direct travel between Australia and the United Kingdom for business, tourism, and family reunification.

The project builds on Qantas’ previous experiences, including its New York–Sydney flight in 2019, which was later halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.