Airbus sets record for longest nonstop commercial flight

Airbus has set a Guinness World Record for the longest nonstop flight by distance by a commercial airliner, completing a journey of 14,388 miles (23,155 kilometres) between Melbourne, Australia, and Toulouse, France.

The record-breaking flight lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes, with the aircraft departing Melbourne on July 27 at 5.27 pm local time and arriving in Toulouse on July 28 at 9.51 am.

Flight conducted as part of project sunrise

The journey was carried out as part of the test campaign for the Airbus A350-1000ULR, an ultra-long-range aircraft developed for Australian airline Qantas Airways under its Project Sunrise initiative.

The aircraft covered 12,503 nautical miles without making a stop, with its route taking it over Sydney before crossing the Pacific Ocean towards Los Angeles. It then flew across North America and the Atlantic, passing over London before reaching its destination in southwestern France.

Aircraft designed for ultra-long-range operations

The record was officially certified using aircraft data independently validated by the International Aeronautical Federation and flight-tracking platform Flightradar24.

During the journey, the crew experienced two sunsets and two sunrises, highlighting the extraordinary duration of the flight.

The A350-1000ULR features an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank and is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, enabling it to operate on exceptionally long routes.

Qantas has ordered 12 aircraft of the type as part of its plans to introduce direct ultra-long-haul services connecting Australia with major international destinations.

Source:AA