Investing.com -- Airbus completed the first flight of the A350-1000ULR aircraft for Qantas Airways on Tuesday in Toulouse, France. The aircraft flew for three hours and 43 minutes and reached an altitude slightly above 41,000 feet.

The aircraft, designated MSN 707, is the first of 12 ordered by Qantas. An Airbus flight test crew operated the plane, which was equipped with special flight test instrumentation. The crew performed general aircraft performance checks and tested the new fuel system architecture during the flight.

Airbus is developing the A350-1000ULR to enable Qantas to operate non-stop flights between Sydney and London for the first time. The route covers almost 10,000 nautical miles with flight times of up to 22 hours. The aircraft includes an additional rear centre tank integrated into the aircraft structure, which increases the aircraft's range by 1,000 nautical miles.

The first flight marks the beginning of a two-month flight test campaign to certify the modifications. The testing will also cover a new galley air cooling system with lighter and more efficient refrigeration units designed for very long flights. Airbus will test the cabin's ventilation and temperature control systems.

After completing the flight test campaign, MSN 707 will be retrofitted to Qantas' commercial specifications. The second A350-1000ULR for Qantas is in final assembly and is scheduled for delivery in April 2027. This aircraft is ready to exit the paint shop and will receive its premium four-class cabin layout and engine installation.

The A350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger variant of the A350 Family. As of the end of April 2026, the A350 Family had 1,579 orders from 68 customers, with over 700 aircraft in service with 41 operators. Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs under Project Sunrise and 12 standard A350-1000s for its long haul network.