Qantas ran a key test flight from Paris to Melbourne effortlessly without stopping. The Airbus A350 took precisely 20 hours to traverse 17,000km. It arrived on July 24, 2026. This was the longest test for Project Sunrise. The airline plans point‑to‑point Europe‑Australia flights. Engineers observed all systems over the flight. They studied how the plane operated on the extended path.
Sources & References
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Aviation history made in Aus as plane lands - News.com.au
Aviation history made in Aus as plane lands News.com.au
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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 The Guardian
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Watch: Qantas plane touches down in Australia after historic test flight - SMH.com.au
Watch: Qantas plane touches down in Australia after historic test flight SMH.com.au
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New Qantas plane touches down in Australia after historic 20-hour test flight - Nine.com.au
New Qantas plane touches down in Australia after historic 20-hour test flight Nine.com.au
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Why everyone was watching this Qantas flight - The Nightly
Why everyone was watching this Qantas flight The Nightly