There is no doubt that the uncertainties surrounding the Boeing 777X program have weighed in Qantas’ decision. He also praised the “high reliability” of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB powering the aircraft. “The A350 is a fantastic aircraft and the agreement on the table with Airbus offers us the best possible combination of commercial conditions, energy efficiency, operating costs and customer experience,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce in a press release. A “detailed evaluation of the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350” was made to pick the aircraft which could participate in the Project Sunrise. The Australian carrier announced its preference for Airbus on December 13, 2019, at the expense of Boeing which had offered the 777-8. The Airbus A350-1000 was selected as the “preferred aircraft” for the airline’s upcoming 20-hour flights. Qantas picked its favorite: Airbus could be the manufacturer to break the record for the longest commercial connection in the world.
