Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus has announced the successful first flight of the world’s longest-ranged airliner, the A350-1000ULR. This has been developed at the specific request of Australian flag-carrier Qantas, which has ordered 12 of the type.

The airline will use the A350-1000ULR for unprecedented non-stop flights between Sydney and London, a distance of nearly 10 000 nautical miles (nm). Flight times will be up to 22 hours. This ultra-long-range capability has been achieved by integrating another rear centre fuel tank into the airframe. This has increased the range by 1 000 nm.

The first example of the new variant is equipped with special flight test instrumentation. After the flight test campaign is completed, it will be retrofitted to Qantas’ specifications and delivered to the airline for commercial operations.

The maiden flight of the A350-1000ULR was operated by a dedicated Airbus flight test crew. It lasted three hours and 43 minutes and reached an altitude of slightly more than 41 000 feet. The flight was used to carry out general aircraft performance checks and to test the new fuel system.

The flight test campaign will last for two months. In addition to checking the aircraft’s performance and handling, and its new fuel system, the cabin temperature control and ventilation systems will be rigorously tested. Further, a new galley air cooling system will be certified (the aircraft’s galley features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units, for its very long flights).

The first of the new type to be delivered to Qantas will actually be the second example to come off the Final Assembly Line. This is now in an advanced stage of assembly and will be rolled out to the paint shop within a matter of days. Its cabin will then be installed and its engines fitted. It is scheduled for delivery to the airline in April next year.

There are now four variants in the A350 family – the A350-900, A350-900ULR, A350-1000 and the A350-1000ULR. They will soon be joined by a fifth model, the dedicated freighter A350F, the first flight of which was set for later this year.

It should be noted that Qantas has also ordered 12 standard A350-1000s.

As of the end of April, Airbus had secured 1 579 orders for A350-family aircraft, from 68 customers. More than 700 A350s are currently flying with 41 carriers.