In a significant move set for October 2027, Qantas has announced plans to operate what it claims will be the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight, connecting Sydney and London with an exceptionally extended journey lasting up to 22 hours. This milestone effort is part of the airline’s ambitious Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to directly link Australia’s east coast with key global destinations.
The Australian carrier made this announcement on Wednesday, unveiling the first of its specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. These aircraft have been meticulously modified for ultra-long-haul travel, featuring an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank that allows them to fly distances exceeding 16,000 kilometers, or nearly 10,000 miles, without any stops.
According to Qantas, the new route will be the inaugural nonstop service connecting the eastern part of Australia to the United Kingdom, a development the airline believes will significantly improve travel efficiency. Passengers flying this route can expect a reduction in travel time by as much as four hours compared to existing itineraries that involve one or more stops.
“Our journey to London has evolved since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, making numerous stops along the way,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson. “Today, with this nonstop service, we are eliminating the last of those stops.” The launch of these flights marks a critical achievement for the Project Sunrise initiative, which Qantas first introduced in 2017 to redefine the possibilities of commercial long-haul air travel.
The A350-1000ULR aircraft will be configured to accommodate 238 passengers across four different cabin classes. Qantas plans to operate a total of 12 of these specially designed aircraft. Following the announcement, the airline indicated that tickets for the nonstop Sydney-London flights will be available for purchase beginning in February 2027, well ahead of the inaugural flight.
This route is poised to outpace the current record held by Singapore Airlines, which operates one of the longest regularly scheduled commercial flights between Singapore and New York. In its market research, Qantas has identified a growing appetite for ultra-long-haul travel, with 70% of surveyed Australians expressing interest in booking a nonstop flight of this length. The interest peaks at 80% among premium travelers, signaling a robust demand.
Qantas has observed a significant uptick in long-haul travelers since 2018, with over 1.7 million passengers experiencing its existing nonstop long-haul routes, including popular connections from Perth to London, Rome, and Paris. Looking beyond its Sydney-London plans, the airline also confirmed intentions to extend Project Sunrise further, with a nonstop Sydney-to-New York route being the next anticipated addition to its network. More details about future routes are expected to be unveiled next year.
As preparations ramp up, Qantas has already commenced training programs for pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel in anticipation of the aircraft’s arrival and subsequent initiation of services. This progressive step underscores Qantas’s commitment to enhancing the travel experience and expanding its global reach in long-haul aviation.
