This is a topic that has been always close to my (amateur) aviation instincts...🙂...I've often explored this topic in my past SIMs (e.g., with that 4-engined Jumbo jet of long-gone yesteryears or the more modern 777 twinjets), but not so much with the ultra-modern twinjets of recent times. Today, with a (decent) Airbus A350-900 ULR at my disposal, I wished to dig into this topic, in my virtual world, in a bit more depth than I've ever done before. But let's first define a few (un-official but commonly understood) definitions of long-haul flights terminology:

1. Long-haul (lasting 6-12 hours)
2. Extra-long-haul (lasting 12-16 hours)
3. Ultra-long-haul (lasting more than 16 hours)

For example, a (RW) completed flight, this weekend, from my hometown Chicago to Frankfurt across the Atlantic, that left KORD yesterday, arrived in EDDF today after 8 hr 6 min with an actual flight distance of 4,428 miles (In my previous post, SimBrief had given me a distance of 4,488 miles for this route). So, this is a classic "Long-haul" flight, and (per FlightAware) A343, B777, B78X currently rule this route. Next, consider e.g., a flight from the U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles) to Australia (Sydney), that involves a travel time of 14.5 hours with a distance of 7,620 miles, qualifying for "Extra-long-haul", and (per FlightAware) A350, A380, B777, B78X rule this route.

Finally, we enter the category of "Ultra-long-haul", the most excruciating of the long-hauls especially when travelling in the sardine class...🙂...I had flown once on such a flight in an AA 777 (and once was enough for a lifetime...🙂...), lasting about 18 hours (including an hour or so of diversion due to adverse weather conditions at the destination). I distinctly recall stuck in the cramped cabin space (seemingly) forever, along with a group of middle-school children, seated nearby, probably flying long-haul on their world-tour for the first time...being their merry selves (and raucous) ...in spite of admonishments from the cabin crew...Oh well...I had actually felt happy for those youngsters...🙂...

Today, Singapore Airlines holds the distinction of operating the world's longest flights. Singapore Airlines initially launched non-stop flights between Singapore and New York in October 2018, to Newark Liberty International Airport. These were operated with the Airbus A350-900 ULR (the same aircraft you see below in my images). Later, in November 2020, they also began non-stop flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). For example, as I am writing here, Flight SIA 24 (flown by an A359) is about to touch down at JFK (in about 10 mins) after a (non-stop) travel time of 18.5 hr with a distance of 9,925 miles. 

But these Ultra-long-hauls are old news...🙂... This post, here, is about (upcoming) even longer flights, over "20 hours", involving distances exceeding that magical mark of 10,000 (statute) miles ... (9,900 miles are just not long enough...🙂...) ...So, in this flight, I planned to transcend that 10,000 miles hurdle of ethereal suspension that humanity is now limited to. I dared to do this, in my (virtual) world of aviation, been energized by the (recent) ownership of the (iniBuilds) Airbus A350-900 ULR...🙂...BTW, such ultra-long-hauls are not merely my "flights of fancy"...no pun intended...🙂...These flights are about to become reality thanks to an ambitious initiative by Qantas (airline), the so-called "Qantas Project Sunrise". Who else besides Qantas of the "country down under" (ideally located on the globe) to embark on such an (unworldly) ultra-long-haul flight experiment...? 

Qantas is planning to operate two flights (Sydney<->London) and (Sydney<->New York) with A350-1000 ULRs. To visualize these remarkable non-stop flights, see, below, the SimBrief screenshots #5 and #6. For (YSSY->EGLL), (shot #5), SimBrief is yielding a distance of 9,495 nm (10,926 miles); and for (YSSY->KJFK); (shot #5, my flight of this post), SimBrief is yielding a distance of 8,833 nm (10,164 miles); note that both routes involve an unheard-of 10,000+ miles. The Sydney to London route will take about "20" hours, and the Sydney to New York route is expected to be 19+ hours. In the (Sydney<->London) flight, be prepared to experience not one but "two" sunrises. Of course, do not expect sardine class treatment on these flights...🙂...Qantas is planning everything conceivable to create an (innovative) in-flight environment (influenced by medical and scientific research from the University of Sydney) to reduce fatigue and promote comfort. Spacious seat pitch, fully flat beds, sliding doors, wellness zone, premium self-serve refreshments, (circadian rhythm matching) controlled cabin lighting etc. are some of the features on board.

So, here we go, as I've dared, in all earnestness, to replicate one of the Qantas Sunrise (10,000+ miles) flights, from Sydney to New York. After departing Sydney in the morning, I got to experience a glorious twilight over the Pacific (see images). But then I ran out of time, with myriad non-pilotage duties of the weekend piling up...including having to remove those pesky (and ungainly) Thistle Weeds from the front yard...🙂...Moreover, since I did not wish to jump to a later phase of the flight and neither could enable 2X sim rate for some reason, my flight had to stop somewhere over the mid-Pacific. I did, however, complete the arrival, by means of an independent flight, with a final approach into JFK ILS Runway 22R (see images). I'm quite certain, if I'd given this SIM a chance, this stalwart of extra-long-haul would have easily (and faultlessly for my purpose) met the daunting challenge...even on my modest Xbox platform...🙂...

I hope, you enjoy this collection of images of the Airbus A350-900 ULR, in this (supposed) marathon flight, standing in for the Qantas Sunrise Project. In the absence of a Qantas livery on hand, I've used the A359 in the (10,000th Airbus) colors of Singapore Airlines, also a (worthy) extra-long-haul pioneer. My images below give glimpses of what I saw, and what you might expect on such a flight, within and outside the cockpit and at daytime and at nighttime. Of course, one thing I cannot convey here is the abject sense of monotony and loneliness...🙂...that I experienced while flying across the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean (this surely is no Atlantic crossing that I'm so familiar with in RW, where I know I am not too far from land, at least from Greenland and Iceland, even when flying high above the middle of the Atlantic Ocean) ...Oh well...

Thanks for viewing...!

Great photos...and narrative!

I don't know if, at my age, I'd ever want to embark on such a long flight. I've made numerous 8 - 10 hour flights during my past life (career as a road warrior).

I guess as I grow older, I think about very real medical conditions...and the possibility of DVT from extended sitting. (I bet you didn't see that comment coming!)  🙂  I just can't imagine sitting in a cramped cabin (cattle class) for 16+ hours.

Twenty five years ago, I had an older colleague that passed away mid-flight due to a stroke on an Atlantic crossing.

Although a healthy (at least up until now) individual myself, I started to wear compression socks on long haul flights after that information/research on flying.

I think for older folks (and yeah, I'm approaching, if not already part of that group)...the technology of modern travel is exceeding the capability of the human body. I can't imagine the toll on airline staff over a prolonged period as well...I'm sure there are studies somewhere.

Thankfully, in the simulator, we have the option of time acceleration, comfortable simming chairs and the mobility of trips to the restroom and fridge for in-flight snacks.  🙂 

 

Fine set, thanks for sharing !

cheers 😉

YMMB:

Hello to you (and Qantas) in Australia...Had to look up where YMMB is...🙂...

Glad you liked...

 

6 hours ago, rmeier said:

Great photos...and narrative!

I don't know if, at my age, I'd ever want to embark on such a long flight. I've made numerous 8 - 10 hour flights during my past life (career as a road warrior).

I guess as I grow older, I think about very real medical conditions...and the possibility of DVT from extended sitting. (I bet you didn't see that comment coming!)  🙂  I just can't imagine sitting in a cramped cabin (cattle class) for 16+ hours.

Twenty five years ago, I had an older colleague that passed away mid-flight due to a stroke on an Atlantic crossing.

Although a healthy (at least up until now) individual myself, I started to wear compression socks on long haul flights after that information/research on flying.

I think for older folks (and yeah, I'm approaching, if not already part of that group)...the technology of modern travel is exceeding the capability of the human body. I can't imagine the toll on airline staff over a prolonged period as well...I'm sure there are studies somewhere.

Thankfully, in the simulator, we have the option of time acceleration, comfortable simming chairs and the mobility of trips to the restroom and fridge for in-flight snacks.  🙂 

 

Thanks, rmeier, for the comments. All points are true and well-taken...🙂...Yes, I think I'm done with ultra-long-hauls, so, the A350-900/A350-1000 ULRs and B777Xs will have to wait for me...

The nature of human body and age, especially such as ours...🙂..., is not amenable to these ultra-hauls, no matter how advanced the technology is. I recall during that 18-hr flight, the captain announced a few times to stretch and walk, if possible, but that was hardly practical in the economy seating. I did walk from one restroom to another, though...🙂...a couple of times...

My better half has done a couple of more such ultra-hauls in the 787. When I ask, why, I'm told that's better than lounging tiredly for several hours at the layover airport...neither being able to stay awake nor sleep, though she usually has access to those exclusive (and comfortable) airport lounges...Oh well...

Nonetheless, I wish the Qantas "Project Sunrise" all success...A NEW DAWN OF TRAVEL, Qantas says ...

 

2 hours ago, pmplayer said:

Fine set, thanks for sharing !

cheers 😉

Appreciated the note...! 

BTW, pmplayer, do you have the HUD working in this A350 (on PC)? I do not see it in the EQUIPMENT list in my Xbox/MSFS2024...Maybe, it will come later...

Cheers...!

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by P_7878

More pain than beauty, I would imagine. 🙂 Even sitting at my computer for an hour or two at a time (simming or watching Netflix 🙂) is probably taking a toll!

Did you make those flights in VR by chance?

3 hours ago, John F said:

More pain than beauty, I would imagine. 🙂 Even sitting at my computer for an hour or two at a time (simming or watching Netflix 🙂) is probably taking a toll!

...Agree, John. We can do the same damage sitting at home...🙂...and simming extra-long-haul vs. flying...

One thing in long-hauls that always has bothered me is the re-circulating cabin air (irritated eyes and stuffy nose ...). I know such things have changed a lot since. I was reading a bit more... Qantas, for their Project Sunrise flights, is planning to use High-Efficiency HEPA filters in the cabin to remove 99.9% of micro/nano particulates, virus, and bacteria, along with renewed air circulation every 2-3 minutes etc... we'll see...

On the related note, if I were to travel to Sydney from here, even if with 1-stop (typically in SFO, LAX, DFW, or HKG), at least one leg is extra-long-haul lasting ~15 hours ...Oh well ...

 

1 hour ago, edpatino said:

Did you make those flights in VR by chance?

Hi Ed:

No, I did not use VR for these flights. Actually, I rarely ever use VR due to certain eye conditions, while my teen is a master of VR usage...🙂...mostly on the PS5 though, not in Xbox...

Cheers...!

8 hours ago, John F said:

More pain than beauty, I would imagine. 🙂 Even sitting at my computer for an hour or two at a time (simming or watching Netflix 🙂) is probably taking a toll!

Lol, here too, actually i often find myself half laying in my chair after two or three hours.😄 

Fly fly fly P_7878 in your longhaul bus! 🙂

On 7/20/2025 at 6:41 PM, Wildblue said:

Lol, here too, actually i often find myself half laying in my chair after two or three hours.😄 

...🙂... Anything goes in our virtual world of aviation. I've done ~ (8-9) hr sim flights to replicate actual ~ (17-18) hr flights (at 2X sim rate), but I usually recruit some pilotage duties from other family members, when I've to be away from the cockpit...such as laying me down...🙂...

 

On 7/20/2025 at 10:52 PM, andiflyit said:

Fly fly fly P_7878 in your longhaul bus! 🙂

Thank you, Andreas. Yes, this Airbus A350 is growing on me a bit by now...🙂...I've been passionate about this type since it flew RW for the first time. After all, this is the best A350 we have in the SIM, ever. I like it a lot and no issues for me except that the [FPLN-Copy] is not always working and the Sim Rate is in-op, could be something on my Xbox system rather than on the SIM a/c... I'll see...

Also, looking forward to that other (extra-long-haul) 77X (777-9) flying for (launch customer) Lufthansa within a year or two, now that the type is finally getting closer to Certification, after the initial hurdles. Maybe PMDG will get to it in the SIM...eventually...🙂...

Cheers...!

20 hours ago, P_7878 said:

best A350 we have in the SIM

looks really good but is not within my budget..... anyway the A350 is a great aircraft and I have it in Aerofly which is a good model as well. 

Beside this I more and more think that the task do simulate a real longhaul flight in the sims is a bit difficult, needs too much time. 

 

2 hours ago, andiflyit said:

...looks really good but is not within my budget..... anyway the A350 is a great aircraft and I have it in Aerofly which is a good model as well. 

Beside this I more and more think that the task do simulate a real longhaul flight in the sims is a bit difficult, needs too much time...

Yes, agree, Andreas. It's a bit pricey, but I am not in a hurry any more to get the PMDG 777 (done that, been there, with that one...in the old SIMs...🙂...) ... This A350 feels different and novel, compared to even the normal Airbus types in the SIM, especially its FMS interface...

I am also flying it short-haul like the Japanese do with their long-haul types...🙂...And maybe, once in a blue moon, I will do a ~16 hr stint, only if I can make the 2X/4X Sim Rate work for me in Xbox without any adverse consequences...

Cheers...!