New long-range aircraft soars over California during remarkable test flight

A new long-range airliner soared high over California on Monday before finally touching down in France on Tuesday morning after flying for more than 24 hours straight from Australia, Qantas Airways announced. 

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Built for the carrier’s Project Sunrise, the cutting-edge Airbus A350-1000 is designed to fly passengers nonstop from the east coast of Australia to London and New York — a “world first,” according to the company. 

Per public flight records, the aircraft departed from Melbourne at 5:30 p.m. on Monday and passed directly over Los Angeles and Las Vegas on Monday afternoon after crossing the international date line. It then flew over Canada and the North Atlantic and arrived in Toulouse, France, where the A350-1000 was built, just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning local time. 

Footage released from the company shows the unpainted plane landing after flying over three continents and two oceans over the course of 24 hours. During the flight, it passed through two sunrises and sunsets, a July 28 post on X said. 

The Project Sunrise @Airbus A350-1000ULR has touched down in Toulouse, France after completing a 24 hour 24 minute non-stop flight from Melbourne, Australia.

The aircraft flew northeast over the Pacific, over the US and Canada, then across the Atlantic and south over the UK to… pic.twitter.com/mnnXPvfosV

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— Qantas (@Qantas) July 28, 2026

Measuring about 74 meters (242 feet) long and capable of holding 238 passengers, the aircraft offers spacious accommodations, such as a designated “Wellbeing Zone” where weary travelers can stretch out and relax, as well as premium cabins complete with memory foam beds and reclining armchairs. Jet-lagged travelers passing through different time zones can even select different lighting settings based on circadian rhythms. 

Per Qantas, the planes will offer six first-class cabins, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy suites and 140 economy suites. Daily nonstop flights between Sydney and London are slated to begin in October 2027, with tickets going on sale in February of that year. 

Qantas press representatives did not respond to SFGATE’s request for more information before the time of publication.