Qantas is advancing its ambitious Project Sunrise, set to introduce the world’s longest passenger flight from London to Sydney, spanning unprecedented distances without stops. This ultra-long-haul service promises to revolutionise transcontinental travel, utilising state-of-the-art aircraft designed for endurance and passenger comfort. Details emerging today outline the technical feats involved, including specialised cabin features to combat fatigue.
The project offers a pathway for direct connections to Australia, bypassing traditional layovers and reducing overall journey times. The project addresses challenges like jet lag and in-flight wellness, with innovations such as exercise zones and tailored lighting. Questions remain about environmental impacts and ticket pricing for such premium experiences.
Initially planned for 2025, the launch was pushed back to 2026 and now officially scheduled for the first half of 2027. Test flights are scheduled to start in 2026.
Aircraft & Configuration: The flights will use a specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range), with 12 aircraft ordered. The first aircraft is in the final assembly stage in Toulouse, France, and is scheduled for delivery in late 2026.
The journey is expected to take up to 22 hours, spanning over 16,800 km. It is designed to be the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world.
To maximise comfort on the 20+ hour flight, the aircraft will have a reduced capacity of 238 passengers (significantly lower than typical A350 layouts) across four classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
A dedicated “Wellbeing Zone” will be featured, allowing passengers to stretch and hydrate, with on-screen exercise programs developed in partnership with the University of Sydney.
The flights will feature specially designed lighting and, according to reports, “super first class” suites and enhanced economy seating, with the goal of reducing jetlag.
Qantas has indicated that fares for these direct, time-saving flights will likely be around 20 percent higher than current one-stop options.
The project, which has been in development since 2017 when it was inaugurated by then Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, aims to revolutionise travel by removing the need for intermediate stops, such as in Singapore or Dubai
