An A350-1000ULR has just completed a nonstop flight of more than 24 hours. Boeing wanted the project, but Qantas chose Airbus

Airbus flew the A350-1000ULR from Melbourne to Toulouse in 24 hours and 24 minutes as a development test for Qantas.

The heavily instrumented flight collected data on fuel management, cabin systems, and crew-rest operations for ultra-long-haul service.

The aircraft is a modified A350-1000 with extra fuel capacity and a higher takeoff weight, built for near-daylong passenger routes.

Qantas selected Airbus’s A350-1000ULR over Boeing’s proposed 777-8 for its future long-distance program.