Qantas’ First A350 for Project Sunrise Rolls Out of Airbus Assembly Line

Qantas’ first Airbus A350‑1000ULR for its flagship Project Sunrise has rolled out of the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France, bringing the airline a significant step closer to launching nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York.

The aircraft, carrying the French test registration F‑WZNK, emerged on April 12, 2026, fully assembled with its Rolls‑Royce Trent XWB‑97 engines, wings, fuselage and landing gear in place. It will now undergo ground checks followed by a two‑month flight‑testing program, with delivery to Qantas expected before the end of the year. Commercial services are scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Project Sunrise will enable Qantas to operate nonstop routes from Sydney (SYD) to London‑Heathrow (LHR) and New York‑JFK, covering nearly 10,000 nautical miles and reducing travel times by up to four hours compared to current one‑stop options. The extended range is supported by an additional 20,000‑liter fuel tank installed in the rear fuselage. 

Qantas’ A350‑1000ULR will seat 238 passengers, far fewer than the 350 seats typical on standard A350‑1000s. Around 40% of the cabin is dedicated to premium seating, including First, Business, and Premium Economy. The aircraft will also feature:

• A dedicated Wellbeing Zone for stretching and movement

• Healthy snacks and hydration options

• Circadian‑rhythm‑based cabin lighting

• Complimentary high‑speed Wi‑Fi

  
  

These features are designed to mitigate fatigue on flights lasting up to 22 hours.

Qantas will name each of its 12 A350s after stars, paying tribute to the airline’s WWII‑era Catalina flying boat missions between Australia and Sri Lanka, where crews famously witnessed two sunrises during the ultra‑long‑endurance flights. The name of the first aircraft is expected to be announced by mid‑2026.

First announced in 2017, Project Sunrise faced multiple delays due to the pandemic and supply‑chain challenges at Airbus. The rollout of the first aircraft marks a long‑awaited turning point for Qantas as it prepares to redefine the ultra‑long‑haul market.