A thermal barrier coating (TBC) system survived 500 hours in aggressive, 1300 degrees C burner rig testing. The yttria-stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) TBC was plasma sprayed on an oxidation-resistant Ti2AlC-type MAX phase and tested in a jet fuel burner at 100 m/s, using 5 hours cycles. No coating spallation or surface recession was observed; Al2O3-scale growth produced a slight 2.4 mg/cm(2) mass gain. The coating surface exhibited craze-cracked colonies of [111](flourite) textured columns, with no visible moisture attack. The 20 mu m alumina scale remained intact under the YSZ face, about twice that producing failure for TBC/superalloy systems. TiO2 nodules, initially formed on the uncoated backside, were removed, and Al2O3 was etched through volatile hydroxides formed in water vapor (similar to 10%). Overall, the test indicated exceptional stability of the YSZ/Al2O3/Ti2AlC system under turbine conditions due in large part to close thermal expansion matching.