Qantas Project Sunrise goes ahead, 12 new A350-1000s ordered

[aaa99]

Just spotted on FlightRadar24

 

[Saab34]

Well at least everyone will get plenty of notice for its arrival time!

 

[elanshin]

Third airframe spotted now in Toulouse. MSN846|

Looks mostly assembled minus the engines. No paint job besides the tail.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[SYD]

Did Airbus ever confirm what the “supply chain” issues were that delayed the delivery? Much speculation around seat certification but I don’t recall anything definitive?

 

[elanshin]

Did Airbus ever confirm what the “supply chain” issues were that delayed the delivery? Much speculation around seat certification but I don’t recall anything definitive?

I dont think anyone has confirmed anything regarding PS. It was all speculation - that being said given where we are today and what they're testing and certification phase, their initial timeline might have been highly optimistic to begin with as well (like if everything went perfectly type of timeline).

 

[SYD]

I dont think anyone has confirmed anything regarding PS. It was all speculation - that being said given where we are today and what they're testing and certification phase, their initial timeline might have been highly optimistic to begin with as well (like if everything went perfectly type of timeline).

Quite likely. Something was/is on the “critical path” but they seemed confident that three aircraft will turn up in rapid succession next year.

So that could be a “certification” tick in the box rather than waiting for physical stuff turning up and being installed?

Obviously in addition to all the certification testing happening now.

 

[RB001]

And they're now under way.

AIB35LR from Toulouse to Melbourne https://fr24.com/AIB35LR/40ce0e1e

 

[gwilli1]

Landing to be streamed LIVE from MEL on Youtube

 

[Melburnian1]

IIRC, PS is to cover 17016 kilometres from SYD to LHR.

According to FR24, today's test flight covers about 16942km. Not a huge difference, but it's in the generally 'favourable' direction for wind conditions.

Unless there's a major hiccup such as severe fog in Melbourne at 0900 tomorrow morning (which the BOM is not suggesting), the aircraft is highly likely to receive a clear run from air traffic controllers. When it's a regular operation into LHR or SYD, this may not always occur.

What average weight per passenger has the test plane assumed and hence taken on board in weights? 70Kg?

Are the total weights used also taking account of how much more the galleys - food, beverages and carts, cutlery, crockery, glassware - would weigh on a passenger carrying flight that needs to cater for three meals plus snacks and drinks?