Qantas has officially confirmed Sydney to London as the inaugural route for Project Sunrise. The world’s longest non-stop passenger flight is scheduled to launch in October 2027, covering more than 16,000 kilometers without interruption.
The Australian carrier unveiled its specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft designed specifically for this mission. Flight times between the two cities are expected to range between 19 and 22 hours, eliminating all previous stops on the historic Kangaroo Route.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson described the launch as the most significant step in the airline's 105-year history. She stated that connecting Australia's east coast directly to London fulfills a commitment made in 2017 to conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation.
Unlike current record-holder Singapore Airlines, Qantas will offer economy seating on these ultra-long-haul flights. The customized A350-1000ULR carries just 238 passengers across four cabins, including 140 economy seats, prioritizing comfort over capacity.
Airbus developed the aircraft with an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank to enable 22-hour endurance. Qantas will take delivery of 12 jets total, with Sydney-New York confirmed as the next Project Sunrise route following the London service.