Most tracked flight in the world is this Airbus A350-1000ULR and this is why everyone is watching it
Published on Jul 23, 2026 at 4:04 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 23, 2026 at 4:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
All eyes are on this Airbus A350-1000ULR, the most tracked flight in the world, and for good reason.
Flight watchers are all casting their eyes over to one particular long-range aircraft as it makes its way towards Australia.
The Airbus A350-1000ULR is custom-built for a specific reason, and it took off from Toulouse, France, for a 19 hour test flight.
In aviation, it’s always about the next big thing
If you’re a passenger looking to book a flight, many things will be on your mind.
You’ll no doubt be thinking about the flight experience, whether that’s to do with the seats or the luggage storage.
But for many people, a top priority in air travel is time.
Very few people would elect to spend more time on an airplane than they had to, and practically nobody would opt for a changeover in the middle of their journey.
So it’s no wonder that the aviation industry has made such a concerted effort to cut down flight times.
The obvious example of this would be the Concorde, which could passengers from London to New York in a matter of four hours.
Since it was retired back in 2003, different companies have been chasing the high of super-fast air travel, whether that be Boeing or NASA.
Now, the Airbus A350-1000ULR may not be supersonic, but it could still be a game changer.
People flying from Europe to Australia have been forced to deal with transfers, whether that’s in the Middle East or in South East Asia.
This could be set to change all of that completely.
How the Airbus A350-1000ULR could be a game changer
Branded ‘Project Sunrise’ by Qantas, this flight is looking to get people from London to Sydney in one trip.
The first aircraft is currently set to be delivered in April 2027, with the remaining 11 following over the next two and a half years.
The test flight embarked from Toulouse in France at 7:33am local time on June 23.
It’s anticipated to land in the Australian city of Melbourne around 10:30am local time on June 24.
That’ll be a flight duration of 19 hours.
Since it departed, it’s become a source of fixation for many aviation fans.
More than 10,000 people have tuned into Flightradar24 to keep tabs on it, News.com.au reported.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has expressed her hope that the launch of the London-Sydney flights would encourage interest in other airports around the world.
“We’re going to be able to be announcing the routes progressively as the new aircraft come in over the next two and a half years,” she said.
“Demand can change. We know how demand can change, and we’re going to be responsive to that.”
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
