The crew of Airbus’ A350-1000ULR test aircraft celebrates its arrival in Toulouse, France, after a 12,503 nm flight in July. [Credit: Airbus]
Key Takeaways:
Airbus's A350-1000ULR officially broke the Guinness World Record for the longest flight distance by a commercial airliner, covering 12,503 nautical miles during a 24-hour, 24-minute test flight.
This record-setting flight was part of its flight test campaign for Qantas Airways' Project Sunrise, which aims to launch direct ultra-long-haul commercial routes between Sydney and New York, and Sydney and London.
The A350-1000ULR features range-extending enhancements, including an extra fuel tank, and a specialized cabin configuration with fewer seats and a "well-being zone" to optimize passenger comfort on these extended journeys.
There is a new long-range leader in commercial aviation.
Airbus said Monday that its A350-1000ULR (ultra-long range) officially broke the Guinness World Record for longest flight distance by a commercial airliner. The jet covered 12,503 nm during a 24-hour, 24-minute test flight in July. Airbus previously estimated the distance at 12,460 nm.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
