Qantas is getting ready to launch ‘Project Sunrise’ – the world’s longest non-stop flights, which will last around 22 hours. Flights between Sydney and London, and between Sydney and New York, will start in 2027 using specially modified Airbus A350 planes. To make sure everyone has enough space, the plane’s capacity has been cut to 238 passengers, with extra rest areas added. Economy tickets are set to be 20% more expensive than the current connecting flights, while first-class passengers will get their own private cabins with beds.
Qantas is getting ready to launch one of the most ambitious aviation projects in the world – ultra-long non-stop flights lasting around 22 hours. Unilad says commercial flights are set to take off in 2027, with prep work kicking off a year earlier.
There’ll be direct flights from London to Sydney and from Sydney to New York. At the moment, these journeys usually involve at least one stopover, most often in Singapore, Thailand or the Middle East.
The company’s calling the project ‘Project Sunrise’ and has already started sharing details about the flights and how comfy the planes will be.
The first Airbus A350, specially configured for these routes, has already left the hangar in France and is undergoing final testing before entering service.
Qantas has announced that all the main parts of the plane, like the fuselage, wings, tail section, landing gear and engines, have now been put in place. “From next year, for the first time ever, these planes will fly passengers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York, cutting flight time by four hours.”
The plane can fit 238 passengers, but it’s usually designed to hold around 300. Qantas has deliberately reduced the number of seats to provide more space and create additional ‘comfort zones’ between classes.
First-class passengers are promised the ultimate in luxury — a seat that converts into a bed, a private wardrobe and an individual 32-inch screen. This should make ultra-long flights a lot more comfortable.
We’re also working on creating a great experience for passengers, so they can enjoy two sunrises on the same flight.
For comparison, the world’s longest non-stop flight is currently operated by Singapore Airlines — the Singapore–New York route, spanning over 15,000 km, takes just over 18 hours.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson says that economy tickets could cost about 20% more than the current London-Sydney flights with stopovers.
But the airline hasn’t yet announced the details of its pricing policy for the new routes to London and New York.