Qantas has confirmed that its groundbreaking nonstop flights between Sydney and London will launch in October 2027, creating the first direct air link between Australia’s east coast and the United Kingdom without a stopover.

The announcement marks a major milestone for Project Sunrise, the airline’s long-running initiative to push the boundaries of commercial aviation through ultra long-haul travel. The launch was revealed as Qantas unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft in airline livery at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.

Once operational, the service will become one of the world’s longest nonstop passenger flights, reducing travel time by up to four hours compared with current one-stop journeys between Sydney and London.

A New Chapter For The Kangaroo Route

The Sydney-London connection has long held a special place in Australian aviation history. When Qantas launched the original Kangaroo Route in 1947, the journey took four days and required seven stops along the way, including Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome.

Over the decades, advances in aircraft technology have steadily reduced the number of stops required. The launch of Project Sunrise will eliminate the final stopover, allowing passengers to travel directly between the two cities for the first time.

Tickets for the new service are expected to go on sale in February 2027 ahead of the inaugural flights later that year.

Specially Designed Aircraft For Ultra Long-Haul Travel

The route will be operated by Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft specially developed for Project Sunrise. The aircraft features an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank, enabling it to fly more than 16,000 kilometers and remain airborne for up to 22 hours.

Qantas has ordered a total of 12 aircraft, each configured with 238 seats across four cabins. The airline says the aircraft has been designed specifically for ultra long-haul operations, with passenger wellbeing and comfort central to the cabin design.

A second aircraft is already progressing through its testing and certification program following its first flight earlier this month.

Designed To Combat Jet Lag

Qantas says Project Sunrise is about more than simply flying farther. The airline has worked with researchers and aviation experts to create an onboard experience specifically tailored to long-duration flights.

The cabin environment, service routines and passenger experience have been developed to help reduce fatigue and combat the effects of jet lag during journeys that can exceed 20 hours.

The airline believes the ability to travel directly between Australia and Europe without an intermediate stop will provide a significantly more convenient travel experience for both business and leisure passengers.

Demand For Ultra Long-Haul Flights Continues To Grow

New research commissioned by Qantas indicates strong consumer interest in nonstop long-haul travel. According to the airline, booking intent for ultra long-haul flights has increased from 58% to 70% since February, while interest among premium travelers has reached 80%.

Qantas already operates several successful long-haul nonstop routes, including services from Perth to London, Rome and Paris, as well as Melbourne to Dallas and Auckland to New York.

The airline says these flights consistently achieve some of the highest customer satisfaction scores across its international network.

Sydney-New York Planned As Next Project Sunrise Route

The launch of Sydney-London is only the first phase of Project Sunrise. Qantas has confirmed that nonstop flights between Sydney and New York will follow as the next route in the program.

The airline plans to announce launch details for the New York service next year as additional Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft join the fleet.

To prepare for the introduction of the new aircraft, Qantas has already begun extensive pilot, engineer and cabin crew training programs. By the time all 12 aircraft are delivered, more than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew members will be trained to operate the Project Sunrise fleet.

With the launch of nonstop Sydney-London services, Qantas is set to achieve one of the most ambitious goals in modern commercial aviation, reshaping travel between Australia and Europe and opening a new era of ultra long-haul flying.