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The ambitious story of the longest flight ever: historic challenge doesn't deter airplane manufacturer
©Matt Str via Unsplash
Have you ever wondered how long an airplane can actually stay in the air? And what is the longest commercial flight ever performed? The skies remain a compelling backdrop and aviation continues to evolve and fascinate many of us. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is aiming to achieve the hitherto impossible with a unique aircraft being developed for Australian airline Qantas Airways. Will the longest flight fade into history books?
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has conducted a first successful test flight with a modified version of its A350 aircraft. At the heart of the matter is a type of Airbus, an A350-1000ULR to be precise, which should be able to handle a particularly long flight effortlessly.
Airbus is making a special plane specifically at the request of Australian airline Qantas, which plans to use the ultra-long-haul aircraft to fly directly between Sydney, on Australia's east coast, and the British capital of London for the first time. That accounts for a distance of nearly 10,000 nautical miles (18,500 kilometers) and flight times of up to 22 hours. That's what Airbus reported in a press release this week. The modified Airbus can fly longer thanks to an additional fuel tank incorporated into the aircraft.
If further tests are successful, Qantas could improve a unique record. Currently, the longest commercial flight connection is Singapore-New York, operated by Singapore Airlines. That flight, over a distance of more than 15,000 kilometers, takes more than 18 hours.
Two more months of testing will be need to make the changes to the aircraft certified. The Australian airline has ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs from European aircraft maker Airbus. These aircraft would also be used on the long route from Sydney to New York. The aircraft manufacturer expects to deliver the first one in April 2027.
©Matt Str via Unsplash - Illustration image of a plane from Australian airline Qantas Airways.