After nearly a decade of planning, testing, delays and aircraft development, Qantas has finally confirmed that London Heathrow will be the first destination served under its Project Sunrise programme. Beginning in October 2027, the airline intends to operate non-stop flights between Sydney and London, creating what will become the world’s longest commercial passenger flight.
For decades, the “Kangaroo Route” between Australia and the United Kingdom has required at least one stop. Even today, Qantas and British Airways route their flights through Singapore. Project Sunrise seeks to eliminate that final stop and connect Australia’s east coast directly with the United Kingdom in a single flight.
A journey of almost 22 hours
The Sydney–London service is expected to take between 19 and 22 hours depending on winds and routing, covering roughly 10,573 miles (17,000 kilometres). Once launched, it will overtake the current record holders, the Singapore Airlines’ Singapore–New York service, and become the longest commercial flight in the world.
The new service is expected to shave up to four hours off current one-stop itineraries between Sydney and London, while removing the inconvenience of a transit stop altogether.
For Qantas, the route is more than just a network addition. It is an attempt to overcome what former airline executives often referred to as Australia’s “tyranny of distance”, making Europe significantly more accessible from the country’s largest city.
The aircraft was built specifically for one mission
Project Sunrise would not have been possible with existing aircraft technology.
To make the flights work, Airbus developed a special ultra-long-range version of the Airbus A350-1000 for Qantas. The aircraft features an additional rear-centre fuel tank capable of carrying 20,000 litres of fuel, increasing range by approximately 1,000 nautical miles beyond that of the standard A350-1000. The aircraft also receives structural modifications and a higher maximum take-off weight.
Qantas Airways Project Sunrise Reveal (Picture Credit: Stuart Bailey)
Qantas has ordered 12 of these A350-1000ULR aircraft, which will be dedicated to Project Sunrise operations. The first aircraft is currently being completed in Toulouse and is scheduled for delivery in April 2027. The airline travelled with some media to Toulouse to give them a look inside and announce the first destination.
Fewer seats, more premium passengers
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the aircraft is its unusually low seat count. While many A350-1000s around the world carry well over 300 passengers, Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft will seat only 238 passengers across four cabins. The layout includes six First Class suites, 52 Business Class suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy Class seats. Economy passengers will also receive a generous 33-inch seat pitch, well above what many airlines offer today.
Qantas Airways Project Sunrise First Class Render with separate seat and bed
The premium-heavy configuration is central to the business case. Ultra-long-haul flying is expensive, and Qantas believes travellers will pay a premium for avoiding a stopover. The airline already sees travellers paying higher fares on its Perth–London flights, which provided much of the confidence behind Project Sunrise.
But the other reason is also to keep the payload lighter. If at full capacity, the aircraft will need more fuel to stay in the air, as well as more catering and other onboard consumables. In essence, a heavier flight. This is also why Singapore Airlines operates only in a Business Class and Premium Economy Configuration.
How do you keep passengers comfortable for 22 hours?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Project Sunrise has always been passenger wellbeing.
Qantas spent years conducting research flights with scientists, sleep specialists and medical experts to understand how passengers react to journeys lasting almost an entire day. The airline has incorporated several findings into the aircraft design.
The A350-1000ULR will feature a dedicated wellbeing zone where passengers can stretch and move around during the flight. Cabin lighting will be specifically programmed to reduce jet lag, while meal service timing and menus will be designed to encourage better sleep and adaptation to destination time zones.
Why does it matter
The significance of Project Sunrise extends well beyond Qantas.
For the aviation industry, it represents the latest frontier in ultra-long-haul flying. The launch of non-stop Sydney–London services will demonstrate whether travellers are willing to spend more than 20 hours in the air to save time and avoid a connection. If successful, other airlines are likely to explore similar missions using next-generation aircraft. Airbus has already indicated growing interest in the concept.
Bottomline
After years of delays, aircraft development and speculation, Qantas has put a date on Project Sunrise. From October 2027, Sydney–London will become the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight, operated by a specially developed Airbus A350-1000ULR carrying just 238 passengers on journeys approaching 22 hours.
Whether travellers embrace spending almost an entire day in the air remains to be seen. But if Project Sunrise succeeds, it could reshape expectations of what is possible in long-haul aviation and mark the beginning of a new era in which almost any two cities on Earth can be connected nonstop.
What are your thoughts about spending 22 hours on an aircraft?
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