Passenger aircraft with the longest range in the world

Theo Interesting EngineeringAirbus completed the first flight of the A350-1000ULR aircraft on June 2 in Toulouse, France. During the test, the vehicle flew for 3 hours and 43 minutes and reached an altitude of nearly 12,500 m.

The A350-1000ULR was developed to support direct flights between Sydney and London, on a route of nearly 18,520 km. To reach that range, Airbus engineers adjusted the aircraft structure, adding a fuel tank to the rear, increasing the flight range by about 1,852 km compared to the standard A350-1000 model. This design change allows the plane to fly continuously for 22 hours, paving the way for direct flights between Australia and Europe that previously required at least one stop. According to AFPthe longest commercial flight currently is by Singapore Airlines from Singapore to New York, covering a distance of 15,350 km in over 18 hours.

Through the test flight, the Airbus team evaluated the overall performance of the aircraft and tested the structure of the fuel system after the redesign. This is the opening flight of a two-month flight test to apply for approval for modifications on the aircraft before putting them into commercial service.

Airbus will also test a new galley cooling system specifically for ultra-long-haul flights, using lighter and more efficient refrigeration equipment, helping to reduce weight while supporting long flight times. Engineers will evaluate cabin ventilation and temperature control performance during the test. These systems are critical to keeping passengers and crew occupied during the nearly day-long flight.

Production of the second A350-1000ULR has reached the final assembly stage and became the first aircraft delivered to Qantas in April 2027 under the Project Sunrise program, aiming to eliminate distance barriers in long-distance travel. Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft for the program.

Theo AeroXplorerA350-1000ULR is the fourth passenger aircraft version in the A350 family, along with the A350-900, A350-900ULR and A350-1000 models. This aircraft family has set new standards in long-haul air travel by significantly reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Before the A350-1000ULR, the aircraft that held the record for the longest range was the Airbus A350-900ULR, which could fly a distance of 17,964 km for up to 19 hours continuously, using the super-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine line to help save more than 25% of fuel consumption compared to the old generation of aircraft. The Boeing aircraft with the longest range in operation is the Boeing 777-200LR, making a journey of 17,395 km in 18 consecutive hours in standard configuration with a capacity of 301 passengers. The world’s longest-range ultra-long-haul business jet is the Gulfstream G800, which can fly a maximum of 15,186 km without refueling.