Tests for potentially the world’s longest flights, connecting London with the east coast of Australia, have achieved a significant milestone with the trial of a new ultra-long-range aircraft.

The Qantas Airbus, designed for flights lasting up to 22 hours, completed its inaugural test departure from a French airport on Tuesday afternoon. During the approximately four-hour test flight, pilots initiated the two-month testing phase.

Departing from Toulouse, the aircraft will undergo modifications by Qantas, including the installation of four distinct seating configurations. This particular plane is the second of 12 A350-1000ULR planes constructed for the airline, featuring an additional fuel tank and enhanced refrigeration systems for extended travel capabilities.

Pilots and crew conducted tests on the new fuel system and conducted performance evaluations, with the added tank providing an impressive 1,118 miles of extra range. According to a Qantas spokesperson, the test flight lasted three hours and 43 minutes, reaching an altitude exceeding 41,000 feet.

Qantas intends to reveal the initial route and schedule for passenger flights on the new aircraft later in the month. This announcement follows a delay in delivery due to supply chain issues acknowledged by Airbus, pushing back the plane’s arrival by approximately four months.

The Qantas spokesperson mentioned that these planes would operate the first non-stop flights from Australia’s east coast to both London and New York. They stated, “The successful inaugural flight signals the start of a two-month testing phase, involving approximately 80 hours of flight trials and comprehensive ground assessments and certifications of new and revised components.”

Preceding its delivery to the airline in April, the aircraft will be refurbished and repainted. Subsequent to April, the following four planes are expected to arrive in rapid succession, as per the Qantas spokesperson.

Qantas presently offers non-stop Perth-London flights lasting around 18 hours. The introduction of these new planes is anticipated to reduce travel time significantly for passengers. Singapore Airlines presently operates the longest commercial flights globally, connecting New York and New Jersey with Singapore in Southeast Asia.