Qantas confirmed October 2027 as the launch month for Project Sunrise, its nonstop Sydney to London route. This flight will become the world's longest, spanning approximately 17,840 kilometers in roughly 19 hours. The route completes Qantas's ultra-long-haul ambitions after years of delays and aircraft procurement challenges.
The airline will operate this service using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which Qantas has ordered specifically for these extreme distances. The aircraft features cabin configurations designed for passenger comfort on extended flights, including premium sleeping suites in business class and lie-flat seats. Cabin crew numbers increase for this route to manage the longer service period.
Sydney (SYD) passengers traveling to London Gatwick (LGW) can expect daytime departures and evening arrivals, minimizing jet lag effects through strategic scheduling. The route eliminates intermediate stops that currently force travelers through Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai or Doha, or Asian gateways. Qantas operates Sydney-London flights today via Perth and Dubai, requiring approximately 17-18 hours of total travel time including layovers.
Project Sunrise originally targeted 2023 launch dates, but aircraft delivery delays and operational planning extended the timeline. The A350-1000 long-range capability makes it uniquely suited for this mission among current commercial fleets. Other carriers including Singapore Airlines and Air France have operated long-range ultra-nonstop flights, but Sydney-London represents a new distance benchmark.
Fares for this service remain unannounced, though ultra-long-haul premium cabins typically command pricing at the highest tiers. Business class seats on comparable Qantas long-haul flights currently start around AUD 8,000-12,000 for one-way bookings, though Sydney-