22-hour flight for the Airbus A350-1000ULR!

The Airbus A350‑1000ULR aims to push the limits of air travel to the extreme with up to 22 hours of nonstop flight.

The Airbus A350‑1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) marks a major advancement in commercial aviation. Designed to connect distant destinations directly like Sydney to London or New York, it removes stopovers and significantly reduces travel times on transcontinental routes.

The secret of this achievement lies in its fuel: the A350‑1000ULR can carry up to 188,000 liters, thanks to the addition of an extra center tank. This exceptional capacity allows the aircraft to sustain up to 22 hours of continuous flight, a record for a commercial airliner. Airbus has also optimized the structure and the cabin to reduce weight and maximize range, while offering redesigned comfort for passengers on very long flights.

Technical and commercial challenges

For these ultra long-haul flights, the customer airline Qantas has opted for a lighter cabin, with about 238 seats, well below standard capacities. The goal is to offer more space and comfort, especially in business and premium classes, and to limit fatigue on unprecedented flight durations.

Carrying so much fuel imposes constraints on takeoff and payload. Moreover, maintaining profitability on 20- to 22-hour flights requires rigorous planning and logistical optimization. The first examples are currently coming out of the Toulouse factory and flight tests are planned in the coming months, with commercial entry into service scheduled for 2027.

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With the A350‑1000ULR, Airbus opens a new era of long-haul travel, combining record range, redesigned comfort and cutting-edge technology. Ultra long-haul travel will never be the same, and commercial aviation is about to reach a historic milestone.

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