With the production of the A380 ceasing, the A350-1000 is shaping up as the successor to the Boeing 747. The existing A350-1000 has a maximum operating range of 14,800 kilometers and can seat between 350 - 410 passengers (depending on configuration). And the A350-1000 is generally well regarded by passengers. Some airlines have started to introduce the A350-1000 onto their Australian routes, but this will be the first time the aircraft has been operated by an Australian airline. Further, Airbus will add an additional fuel tank and slightly increase the maximum takeoff weight to deliver the performance required for these ultra long haul routes. I could certainly see flying these Sunrise routes in first & business, but 20 hrs in PE or E would be hell no matter what airline or aircraft. But Boeing has become so racked with problems (Max 8 & Dreamliner issues, 777X delays), that QF really had no choice but to go with Airbus. In a statement, Qantas says that after careful consideration of both the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350-1000, the latter impressed with its Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, which has a strong reliability record after being in service with airlines for more than two years. Qantas has been a loyal Boeing customer for so long. Just last month, Qantas told both Airbus and Boeing their Project Sunrise offers needed more work, citing issues with price, conditions, and guarantees.