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The highly anticipated ultra-long-range (ULR) Airbus A350-1000 in development to join Qantas’ fleet is facing another delay due to undisclosed “supply chain issues,” according to Airbus. Bloomberg News reported early Monday that the first A350-1000ULR is expected to arrive in early 2027, slipping past the original delivery target at the end of this year.
Dubbed Project Sunrise, the aircraft will make history as the first jet to fly nonstop routes from Sydney, Australia, to London, United Kingdom, and New York City. The program is a decade in the making, with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and the global Aerospace supply issues that have persisted in the aftermath, even as commercial aviation continues to ramp up to pre-pandemic industrial levels.
Qantas Aims For The History Books With Project Sunrise
The first functional A350-1000ULR rolled out of the hangar in Toulouse last month. Despite the expected delivery delay for the first jet, Qantas expects Airbus to quickly restore production pace, aiming to have five A350-1000ULRs in its fleet by November 2027. The airline has said that it will begin flying the extraordinary route once three jets have arrived in Australia and passed all checks to begin revenue service.
The delay of the first plane means flights are very likely not to begin until the end of next year. Qantas is betting on this unique itinerary to help it carve out more of the international market, where operating costs have continued to climb, and competition is growing stiffer. The current conflict in Iran is weighing heavily on the aerospace industry, with fuel prices fluctuating in lockstep with every diplomatic change.
Bloomberg reported that Qantas stock rose 4.9% after updates indicating progress and negotiations between the US and Iran toward a deal that would formally end Operation Epic Fury and bring hostilities to a close. The airline commented on the delay in a statement obtained by Bloomberg News.
“We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will enable us to begin operating these history-making Ultra Long Haul flights.”
Making The A350 ULR: More Than Your Average Widebody
Singapore Airlines has famously operated the A350-900ULR between its home base at Singapore International (SIN) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). These routes are currently the longest commercial services available in the world and have remained very popular since they began in 2018. But Qantas wants to take it even further. The A350-1000ULR, designed for Qantas, builds on the proven engineering pioneered by these trailblazing aircraft.
There’s a lot more that goes into giving the jets such a stunning range than just adding an extra fuel tank. The A350-1000 has the advantage of being the largest widebody currently in production, but it also benefits from extremely efficient power plants and aerodynamics, making good use of the extra fuel it carries. Looking beyond the performance and mechanical requirements, a host of features are required inside the cabin for passengers to not only survive the journey, which can take over 22 hours.
Two major mechanical elements of the plane also significantly improve the journey for flyers, including lower cabin pressure than on legacy jets and much quieter cabin noise. The new composite fuselage can withstand higher pressurization, which lowers the cabin altitude from 8,000 feet to 6,000 feet, greatly reducing dehydration and the long-term effects of fatigue on the body. On top of that, the cabin is far more spacious, with a much lower seat count than other A350-1000 jets, not only to accommodate more premium seats but also to give every passenger more room to stretch out.
Why Only The Airbus A350-1000ULR Can Make Sydney To London Work Without A Fuel Stop
Larger fuel tanks and a lower passenger and cargo capacity are needed for Qantas’ Project Sunrise flights.
Inside The Next Era Of Globe-trotting Travel At Qantas
The A350-1000 has a capacity of up to 350 passengers. Qantas is strictly capping its customized fleet at just 238 seats to guarantee significantly more space per person. Economy seats boast an uncommonly generous 33 inches of seat pitch. Six fully enclosed private suites are designed like a hotel room in the sky. In business class, there are 52 private pods outfitted with sliding privacy doors, a lay-flat bed, bespoke ambient lighting, and large dining spaces.
Situated between the premium economy and economy cabins, this communal, zero-revenue area is open to all passengers. It features built-in wall handles for physical stretching and sculpted surfaces for stretching. There is a self-service hydration station and a healthy refreshment bar designed to stimulate blood circulation and prevent deep vein thrombosis.
