New Qantas jetliners will make record-breaking nonstop 22-hour flights
By Maureen O'Hare
Published on April 18, 2026.
The first plane of Qantas Airways' Project Sunrise, the company's new Airbus A350-1000ULRs, has rolled off the final assembly line in Toulouse, France and is set to undergo ground tests ahead of the expected launch of commercial flights in 2027. The new planes will have spacious, ergonomically designed cabins with a seat count of just 238, compared to the standard 400 on other A350/1000s. Over 40% of seats will be in premium cabins, with top-class amenities such as flat-bed suites and full-length wardrobes. Bookings open for Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds on select new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights starting in November. Singapore's Changi International Airport was named the best airport in the world by air transport rating organization Skytrax for the 14th consecutive time. The aviation industry experienced a 4.1% growth in 2025, contributing $11.6 trillion to the global economy.
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