It has been eight years since Qantas first unveiled its vision for the world's longest flight. Now, that vision is one step closer to reality as an official launch date has been revealed. The 22-hour direct journey from Sydney to London will take off in the first half of 2027, following prolonged delays caused by technical challenges and the pandemic.
Record-Breaking Route
At 17,015 kilometres, the upcoming flight will claim the crown for the longest non-stop passenger route in the world. This surpasses the current record held by Singapore Airlines' 15,300-kilometre direct flight to New York, which spans nearly 19 hours. Qantas already operates the world's third-longest flight from Perth to London at 17.5 hours, followed closely by its 17-hour Perth to Paris route and the 16-hour Melbourne to Dallas service.
Project Sunrise Aircraft
The latest breakthrough has been made possible after the Australian carrier selected the Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) for the route. Qantas ordered a dozen of these specially designed aircraft in 2022. The plane is powered by British Rolls-Royce Trent engines and is fitted with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank, allowing for extra distance.
Aptly named Project Sunrise, the service departs at night, enabling passengers to witness their first sunrise over Asia or the Middle East, before seeing it rise again closer to Europe or North Africa. On board, there will be 238 passengers in six first-class suites, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats.
Onboard Wellness Zone
In another first of its kind, an onboard 'wellness zone' will be available to all passengers. They can sample premium self-serve healthy refreshments designed to provide optimum hydration at high altitude. A programme of stretches will be shown on large monitors for passengers to follow, with some possible from the comfort of their seat. Walls in the wellness zone will also be fitted with handles to aid exercises, essentially forming a yoga studio in the sky or a space to simply socialise.
First-Class Amenities
Those in first class can look forward to bespoke amenities such as a plush armchair and bed, sliding doors, a 32-inch HD screen, and even a private wardrobe. To make sleeping on board as comfortable as possible, Qantas worked in partnership with the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre to seek ways of reducing the effects of jet lag. These efforts have involved customised lighting reflecting the 'unique quality of light in the Australian Outback' and timed meal services designed to match circadian rhythms.
Designer David Caon, who has worked on the project since 2018, said it had been an 'honour' to be involved. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the Australian added: 'We had a team of six people working on it full time for two years – things like aircraft weight, maintainability, safety and comfort all have to be weighed against the aesthetic decisions we make.'
Test Flights and Future Plans
On April 12, the first of 12 Airbus A350-1000s for Qantas' Project Sunrise appeared in France for a 22-hour test flight programme spanning two months. As part of Project Sunrise, Qantas is also planning to launch 18-hour direct flights between Sydney and New York. This route is also expected to take off in 2027 using Airbus A350s, according to Time Out Australia. While these new long-haul services are on the horizon, it is not yet confirmed which route will take off first.
