AdvertisementUpdated BusinessCompaniesAviation Millions tune in as Qantas jet completes 24-hour non-stop flight Chris Zappone Updated July 29, 2026 — 10:41am ,first published 10:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. A source with knowledge of the flight said it was the longest flight flown by an Airbus aircraft. Related Article Review Alan Joyce’s self-serving tell-all packs plenty of action, attitude and drama The plane, still in its primary coating, was flown to Melbourne last week by four Airbus flight test pilots, and five flight test engineers. Qantas pilots joined the Airbus flight test crew for the return journey to France. Airbus test pilot Xavier Pepin captained the return leg and explained how the crew managed fatigue during the journey.