e Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) has broken the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance flown by a commercial passenger aircraft.
The plane, which is under development for the Australian airline Qantas, completed 12,503 nautical miles, about 23,155 kilometers in a continuous flight that lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes last July. Now, as mentioned, the official recognition from the Guinness Book of Records is coming.
World record in long-distance flight. Photo: AirbusThe flight departed Melbourne on July 27 at 5:27 p.m. local time, and landed in Toulouse, France, the following morning at 9:51 a.m. The flight data was independently verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and the Flightradar24 platform.
The flight was conducted as part of Qantas' Project Sunrise preparations. The test required Airbus to fly a 23-hour flight segment, from departure from the airport to arrival at the parking bay, to simulate future operating conditions.
During the flight, the plane crossed three continents and two oceans, passing over North America and the Atlantic Ocean, and the crew witnessed two sunsets and two sunrises. On board the plane were 13 crew members and representatives, including Airbus test pilots, two Qantas pilots and flight engineers.
World record in long-distance flight. Photo: AirbusThe A350-1000ULR will enable the Australian airline to operate non-stop flights between Sydney and London and New York for the first time, covering a distance of almost 10,000 nautical miles and with a flight time of up to 22 hours. The increased range is made possible, among other things, by installing an additional fuel tank in the rear of the aircraft, which increases the flight range by approximately 1,000 nautical miles.
The Australian company recently ordered 12 of this model. The first is expected to be delivered in April 2027, and entry into service on the Sydney-London route is planned for later that year.