Qantas will commence nonstop flights between Sydney Airport and London Heathrow Airport in October 2027, operating the historic Kangaroo Route without intermediate stops from Australia’s east coast for the first time. The service is part of Qantas’s Project Sunrise initiative using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft configured for ultra-long-range operations.
Aircraft Configuration and Flight Capabilities
The Airbus A350-1000ULR assigned to the Sydney-London route will have a seating capacity of 238 across four cabins, representing the lowest density of any A350 model worldwide. The aircraft includes six enclosed First suites, 52 Business suites featuring sliding doors, 40 Premium Economy seats, 42 Economy Plus seats, and 140
Economy seats. An additional rear center fuel tank adds approximately 20,000 liters, increasing total fuel capacity to 168,000 liters to support flights lasting up to 22 hours with a maximum range exceeding 16,000 kilometers (10,000 nautical miles).
New Polar Route and Flight Duration Reduction
The nonstop Sydney-London flights will follow a new polar route, departing northbound from Sydney, crossing the equator and Arctic airspace, and bypassing Gulf airspace currently restricted. This routing optimizes the great-circle distance, allowing flight times of 20 to 22 hours northbound and up to two hours shorter southbound with tailwind assistance. This nonstop journey reduces travel time by up to four hours compared
to the fastest one-stop alternatives currently available, such as Sydney–Singapore–London connections that typically take 24 to 25 hours.
Cabin Design and Passenger Comfort
Qantas collaborated with the University of Sydney Charles Perkins Centre and Caon Design Office to develop the cabin environment, focusing on passenger wellbeing during ultra-long-haul flights. The First class includes six private suites with 80-inch flatbeds and sliding doors, providing ample room and storage for a 20 to 22 hour journey. Business class offers 52 suites in a 1-2-1 layout, each with a sliding door privacy feature supplied by Safran Seats. Premium Economy employs a 2-4-2 seating arrangement, while Economy Plus and
Economy cabins are equipped with RECARO Aircraft Seating designed for comfort on extended flights.
Project Sunrise: Historical Context and Leadership
Project Sunrise aims to eliminate stopovers that have historically defined Australia–UK travel, a route that required up to seven stops in the 1940s. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has led the project through challenges including supply chain delays and the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as breaking the tyranny of distance for Australia. The project honors the 1940s “Double Sunrise” flights made by Qantas Catalina flying boats with nonstop stretches over 33 hours. The Sydney-London nonstop surpasses these early achievements through engineering solutions combining additional fuel capacity and
reduced passenger load to enable ultra-long-range flight.
Operational and Training Preparations
Qantas has ordered a fleet of 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft to support Project Sunrise. The first aircraft delivery is scheduled for April 2027, with ticket sales for the Sydney-London route starting in February 2027. Test flights began in June 2026, including assessments of fuel management, engine performance, autopilot, and emergency procedures. More than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew members are undergoing training to operate the extended flights and manage the new cabin environment.
Traveller Benefits and Route Impact
Starting October 2027, travelers will have a direct nonstop option between Sydney and London, eliminating transit delays and the
risk of lost baggage associated with stopovers. The four-hour time savings compared to one-stop services represents a significant reduction in journey length. Premium cabins feature sliding door suites enhancing passenger privacy, bringing Qantas’s Business class in line with leading global carriers offering door-closed seating. Project Sunrise sets a new standard in comfort and convenience on one of the world’s longest commercial flights.
