Qantas Airways announced on June 17, 2026, that it will begin the world's longest nonstop commercial flight between Sydney and London in October 2027 using a specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR jet [1, 2]. The airline revealed London as the first destination for its Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to eliminate stopovers on ultra-long-haul routes [1, 2].
The Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft can fly nonstop for up to 22 hours and will carry 238 passengers in a special cabin layout designed for this demanding route [1, 2]. By flying nonstop, Qantas expects to reduce the Sydney-London journey duration from about 24-25 hours with a stopover in Singapore to approximately 19-21 hours depending on routing and winds [1].
Tickets for the Sydney-London nonstop service will go on sale starting February 2027 [1]. Qantas received its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in April 2026 after delays from the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain challenges delayed delivery [2].
The longer non-stop flights respond in part to increased demand for direct point-to-point travel following disruptions to Middle Eastern flight hubs affected by the war in Iran [2]. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said, "Australia’s distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way," emphasizing the strategic importance of the ultra-long-haul flights [1]. Aviation analyst John Strickland noted that Qantas is selling time savings, expecting to charge a premium on cabins especially in business and premium economy sections [1].
Qantas projects Project Sunrise could generate over AUD 400 million annually if it charges about 20% higher ticket prices compared to one-stop services on the route [1]. The airline plans to extend the Project Sunrise service from Sydney to New York using the same aircraft type at a later date [1].
Qantas began Project Sunrise in 2017, challenging aircraft makers to deliver jets capable of ultra-long nonstop flights from Australia [1]. The program has taken nearly a decade to reach this milestone with a reliable aircraft ready for commercial use [1, 2].
The inaugural Sydney-London nonstop flight scheduled for October 2027 marks the latest step in Qantas’ effort to connect Australia more efficiently to global hubs, cutting travel times and removing stopovers. Ticket sales start February 2027 with the first flight expected in October 2027 [1, 2].
