Qantas has pushed back the launch of its nonstop service between Sydney and London Heathrow or New York JFK to late 2027, five years later than originally planned. The airline cited delivery delays of its specially configured Airbus A350-1000 aircraft as the primary reason for the postponement.
The London-Sydney route, spanning 10,573 miles, will be the longest passenger flight in the world, surpassing the current record held by Singapore Airlines' New York JFK service. Qantas has ordered a dozen A350-1000s with extra fuel tanks, allowing up to 22 hours of flight time, but the aircraft will carry only 238 passengers—less than half the maximum capacity—to reduce weight and enhance comfort.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson predicted in 2025 that fares would be about 20% higher than existing one-stop flights, but industry experts expect a larger premium due to limited supply and strong demand. Economy tickets at peak times could reach £3,000 to £4,000 return. The airline's nonstop London-Perth service already sells for up to £2,000 one-way as travellers avoid Middle East connections.
The route faces challenges including the closure of Russian airspace to Western carriers, which forces longer flight paths. Qantas test flights have previously made the journey nonstop, but commercial viability requires a full payload of passengers and cargo. The airline expects to announce the first route and start date in mid-2026.
