Australian flag carrier Qantas is weighing a further widebody aircraft order as it continues the long-term renewal of its long-haul fleet and prepares for the eventual replacement of its Airbus A380s.
According to Reuters, citing industry sources, the Sydney-based carrier is in discussions with both Boeing and Airbus over a potential order for around 20 additional long-haul aircraft. The deal is believed to be for Boeing 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350-900s. Qantas has not confirmed any new commitment, stating only that it remains in regular contact with manufacturers as part of ongoing fleet planning.
Currently, Qantas has outstanding orders for 12 787s and 24 A350-1000s. The deal with Airbus comprises 12 standard -1000s and 12 of the specially modified -1000ULRs for its Project Sunrise non-stop flights from Australia’s east coast to Europe and North America.
The news comes as the carrier’s first A350-1000ULR completed its maiden flight from Toulouse on June 2. Airbus said the aircraft flew for three hours and 43 minutes, reaching slightly above 41,000ft, while the crew conducted general performance checks and tested the new fuel system architecture.
The ULR variant features an additional rear centre tank, increasing range by around 1,000nm and enabling flights of up to 22 hours between Sydney and London or New York. The jet will now undergo a two-month flight-test campaign before being retrofitted to Qantas’s commercial specification. A second A350-1000ULR, which is scheduled to be the first delivered aircraft, is due to join the airline in April 2027.
