Qantas Airways (QF) has reached a major production milestone in its Project Sunrise program after its first Airbus A350-1000ULR was spotted fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines at Airbus’ Toulouse assembly facility in France.
The aircraft, identified as MSN 707, is the first of up to 12 ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000 aircraft (the aircraft type where Delta Air Lines (DL) will be introducing new business class suite) ordered by Qantas, marking a key step toward the airline’s ambitious Project Sunrise network. Deliveries remain scheduled for the end of 2026, with entry into commercial service targeted for early 2027.
The aircraft will initially operate nonstop services from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York JFK Airport (JFK), becoming the backbone of Qantas’ future ultra-long-haul strategy.
Project Sunrise Reaches Advanced Assembly Phase
Qantas first announced Project Sunrise in 2017 with the aim of operating the world’s longest nonstop commercial flights directly between Australia’s east coast and major global cities, eliminating traditional stopovers in Asia or the Middle East.
The airline formally ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft in 2022, selecting the type for its extended range capability and suitability for 20–22-hour missions.
The first airframe, MSN 707, was assembled in late 2025 with major structural components—including fuselage sections, wings, tail, and landing gear—already completed before engine installation began at Toulouse.
Let’s take a look at the specifications of Qantas’ A350-1000 ULR:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 64.75 m |
| Length | 73.79 m |
| Height | 17.8 m |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.85 |
| First suites | 6 |
| Business suites | 52 |
| Premium Economy seats | 40 |
| Economy seats | 140 |
Note that Airbus A350-900 is already deployed in the longest non-stop flight in the world.
Engines Installed Ahead of Testing Phase
The installation of Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines marks the transition of the aircraft into the final pre-flight phase. Once complete, MSN 707 will undergo ground testing before entering a structured flight test campaign in 2026.
According to aviation reports, the aircraft will also feature a heavily modified design, including additional fuel capacity to support ultra-long-range missions. This allows the aircraft to complete sectors of up to 22 hours without refuelling stops.
The aircraft’s test programme is expected to include extended endurance flights before certification for commercial operations begins.
Qantas, in social media post said:
“The first Airbus A350-1000ULR rolled out of the hangar in Toulouse this week, with its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines fitted and ready to start final ground checks and a two-month flight testing campaign. From next year, these aircraft will carry our customers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York for the first time ever – reducing flying time by up to four hours….its first test flight is just around the corner
Ultra-Long-Haul Capability and Network Impact
The Airbus A350-1000ULR will enable Qantas to operate nonstop services from Australia’s east coast to London and New York, eliminating one-stop connections that currently route via hubs such as Singapore or Dubai.
These flights are expected to significantly reduce total journey time, cutting up to four hours compared to traditional one-stop itineraries.
The aircraft will also operate with a reduced-capacity, high-premium configuration designed specifically for ultra-long-haul demand, prioritising passenger comfort and range efficiency. Here’s a look at the carrier’s configuration of this aircraft:
Qantas A350 Project Sunrise Cabin Comparison
| Cabin Class | Key Features | Seating / Layout Details | Comfort & Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Class | Enclosed private suites with sliding door, designed for luxury long-haul travel | 6 enclosed First suites with 57” high walls, sliding door, separate armchair + flat bed | 80” flat bed, 22” reclining armchair, full-length wardrobe, multiple storage areas, flexible dining/work space for 1–2 passengers |
| Business Class | Sliding door suites with enhanced privacy and upgraded work space | 52 Business suites with 42” wide cabin seat, 47” high privacy wall, alternating center seats | 80” flat bed (25” wide), large dining/work table, adjustable divider, lumbar support seating, increased storage |
| Premium Economy | Enhanced comfort seating with curated onboard experience | Dedicated Premium Economy cabin (exact seat specs not detailed in source) | Premium self-serve refreshments, guided wellbeing content access |
| Economy Class | Standard long-haul seating with wellness-focused design elements | 140 Economy seats in high-density layout | Access to inflight Wellbeing Zone, stretching-friendly cabin features |
| Shared Feature (All Economy + Premium) | Wellness-focused inflight experience | Located adjacent to Wellbeing Zone between Premium Economy and Economy | Guided exercise content, self-serve refreshments, sculpted walls for stretching, onboard wellness area |
Qantas’ Fleet Expansion and Future Outlook
Beyond the A350-1000ULR fleet, Qantas has also committed to additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which will support broader long-haul expansion and eventual fleet renewal across its widebody network.
The airline recently introduced Airbus A321XLR on its Brisbane route in November last year, and Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth sectors a few months prior.
As MSN 707 moves closer to testing, industry observers see the engine installation milestone as one of the clearest indicators yet that Project Sunrise is transitioning from development into operational reality.