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In travel news this week: a fresh look at the world’s strongest passports, a culinary controversy involving edible ants, and a major step forward in ultra-long-haul flying.

Project Sunrise

While many travelers were enjoying a restful weekend, a newly delivered Airbus A350-1000ULR was touching down in Melbourne after completing its first nonstop test journey from France. After a short break, the aircraft is scheduled to repeat the demanding trip.

The inaugural Toulouse-to-Melbourne test flight lasted more than 19 hours. When the service officially begins, flight times could reach up to 22 hours, covering distances exceeding 10,000 miles.

The aircraft has been specially designed for Qantas’ ambitious Sydney-to-London route. When it launches in October 2027, it is expected to become the longest nonstop commercial flight in the world.

A team of four Airbus test pilots and five flight test engineers operated the journey from Toulouse, rigorously evaluating onboard systems, including an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank that enables the jet to remain airborne for nearly an entire day.

CNN’s Richard Quest recently explored the ultra-long-range aircraft to see how it is configured for such marathon journeys. Watch the video below.

Qantas has now unveiled its first “Project Sunrise” aircraft, purpose-built to connect Sydney directly with London and New York. The Sydney–London service is set to begin in October 2027.

Passports and border checks

Back in 2006, a United States passport ranked among the most powerful travel documents in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access comparable to only a couple of other nations.

Two decades later, the landscape has shifted. A recent global index measuring passport strength shows the US document has gradually slipped in the rankings, with 36 countries now offering their citizens broader travel freedom.

Within the European Union, Sweden currently holds the highest position on the Henley Passport Index. Meanwhile, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) requires non-EU travelers entering the 29-country Schengen area to provide biometric data. The rollout has contributed to delays at certain airports, adding another layer of complexity to an already busy summer travel season in Europe.

There has been one small but symbolic improvement in Europe, however. Earlier this month, the fence separating southern Spain from the British territory of Gibraltar was dismantled following a landmark agreement between the EU and the UK.

Gibraltar, home to around 38,000 people, sits at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula in a strategic position just across the water from Morocco.

Wilderness, wildlife and ‘wow’ factor

Continuing our countdown of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2026, Juneau, Alaska, takes the No. 7 spot.

Alaska’s remote capital — the largest US state capital by land area — offers dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife. Set within a temperate rainforest, Juneau boasts its own glacier and is home to bears, mountain goats and whales.

Of the city’s more than 1.5 million annual visitors, over 90% arrive via cruise ship. Even so, there is ample space and a wide range of activities to accommodate travelers, including during the peak summer season.

Also featured on the list are Roanoke, Virginia, at No. 10, Lawrence, Kansas, at No. 9, and Iowa City, Iowa, at No. 8.

Canada’s Spotted Lake

Just outside Osoyoos in British Columbia lies a remarkable body of water known for its vivid circular patches.

Called Spotted Lake — or Lake Khiluk in the Nsyilxcən language — this natural wonder owes its colorful spots to a unique combination of mineral-rich chemistry, surrounding geology and seasonal climate conditions.

In case you missed it

Two passengers felt an unexpected bond during a flight.

A year later, he reached out again in a surprising way.

Many airline travelers dislike middle seats.

But that’s not the reason United Airlines is removing some of them.

A tropical storm. An expensive conflict. A blockbuster movie.

How much do you recall from the past week’s headlines?

A chef added edible ants to his restaurant’s menu.

Now he could face up to a year behind bars.