Qantas has announced a new launch date for its long-awaited Project Sunrise , the airline’s ambitious plan to offer non-stop commercial flights connecting Sydney with London and New York.
First announced in 2019 and confirmed in by the Australian airline in 2022, the project aims to make Australia more accessible to the western world by flying direct routes to two of its most influential cities, using adapted Airbus A350-1000ULRs (Ultra Long Range). These flights will cover the distances in record times, approximately 17 hours to London Heathrow and about 20 hours to New York JFK, with no stopovers.
It is not the first delay for Project Sunrise, which was initially scheduled to launch in 2023. The project has faced repeated setbacks due to a combination of factors, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequent “manufacturing delays”, namely European regulators’ request to redesign the fuel tank of the aircraft. Designed to fly over 18,000 km, the A350-1000ULR will be equipped with an extra fuel tank to facilitate these extra-long flights.
Described by former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, as the “final frontier and the ultimate solution to the tyranny of distance,” the new launch date is now set for 2027, with aircraft production aircraft scheduled to start September 2025.
Delivery of the first Airbus A350-1000 ULR is expected in late 2026, with enough planes in service to begin daily operations by early 202, as announced last week by the national carrier’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson. The delay between delivery and operations is due to the fact that that operating a daily schedule for these 18-22 hours flights requires at least three aircrafts and the third of the twelve will only be ready early 2027.
Before launching the long-haul routes, the airline will conduct shorter training flights. The first testing destination has been revealed as Auckland, New-Zealand and is intended to allow crew and staff to familiarise themselves with new A350-1000ULR. Such short-distance testing is standard when introducing a new model, but it’s even more crucial here given the exceptional duration of the future flights.
Beyond safety considerations, Qantas has placed a strong emphasis on passenger comfort, across all classes. The airline has designed low-density cabins with just 238 seats, significantly fewer than long-haul carriers like French Bee, which fits 480 passengers on similar aircraft. The plane will be divided into four classes, including six first-class suites, 52 business class seats that convert into beds, 40 premium economy, and 140 economy seats. Economy passengers will benefit from wider seats and extra space between rows, offering more legroom (84cm instead of the usual 76-81 cm).
Additionally, in a first for commercial aviation, the aircraft will feature a ‘wellness zone’, to allow passengers to stretch and move during the flight. Other onboard upgrades include enhanced in-flight entertainment and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Looking ahead, Qantas hopes to reach South American and South African cities as well, and thereby regain market share in international locations that were hitherto unreachable or unprofitable.
