Qantas will start nonstop flights between Sydney and London Heathrow from October 2027 as part of its Project Sunrise initiative. This marks the first nonstop operation on the historic Kangaroo Route originating from Australia’s east coast, eliminating the need for stopovers previously required on this journey.
Aircraft and Configuration Details
The flights will use the Airbus A350-1000ULR, a specially modified ultra-long-range aircraft adapted for Project Sunrise with an additional rear center fuel tank holding 20,000 litres. Total fuel capacity on the aircraft reaches 168,000 litres, enabling a maximum range exceeding 16,000 kilometers (10,000 nautical miles).
The plane will have a reduced seating capacity of
238 across four cabins, the lowest seat density of any A350 worldwide. The configuration includes six enclosed First Class suites, 52 Business Class suites with sliding doors, 40 Premium Economy seats, 42 Economy Plus seats, and 140 Economy seats. More than 70% of Economy seats have a pitch of 33 inches or more.
Timelines and Operations
Qantas has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for Project Sunrise, with the first plane scheduled for delivery in April 2027. Tickets for the Sydney-London nonstop flights will become available in February 2027. Over 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew will undergo specific training before the service starts.
The Sydney-New York nonstop route is confirmed as the second phase of Project Sunrise, launching after the Sydney-London service begins.
Routing and Flight Duration
The flights will follow a new polar route, flying north across the equator and over polar regions before descending into London. This routing avoids restricted Gulf airspace and optimizes the great-circle distance between Sydney and London.
Flight duration on the nonstop route is expected to be between 20 and 22 hours. Return flights may be shorter due to prevailing tailwinds. This service will reduce travel time by up to four hours compared to the fastest current one-stop options via cities
like Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, or Bangkok.
Passenger Experience and Cabin Design
The cabin has been designed to enhance passenger wellbeing on these ultralong flights, incorporating research from the University of Sydney Charles Perkins Centre and collaboration with Caon Design Office. Business Class suites will feature sliding doors for the first time on Qantas flights, providing enhanced privacy comparable to premium competitors.
First Class will offer six private enclosed suites with 80-inch flatbed beds and full aisle access. Business Class seats supplied by Safran Seats and Economy seats sourced from RECARO Aircraft Seating prioritize comfort for journeys lasting up to 22 hours.
Project Sunrise
pays homage to Qantas’s Double Sunrise flights of the 1940s, which included 33-hour nonstop flights by Catalina flying boats. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, leading the project since 2022, emphasized that this service breaks the long-standing tyranny of distance between Australia and the UK.
CNN aviation expert Richard Quest described the Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR launch as a pivotal moment for Airbus, comparable to the debut of the A380 nearly 20 years ago with Singapore Airlines.
The nonstop Sydney-London flight ends a century-old pattern of stopovers and marks the longest commercial flight planned, connecting Australia’s eastern cities directly with London Heathrow.
