Qantas has announced that nonstop flights between Sydney and London, part of its Project Sunrise initiative, will commence in October 2027, later than originally planned.
The service will use specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. Deliveries of the aircraft have been delayed due to supply chain issues, with the first plane expected in April 2027. The project was first announced in 2017 with an initial target launch of 2022, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Details
- Route: Sydney (Australia) to London (United Kingdom), nonstop.
- Aircraft: Modified Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range).
- Flight Duration: Expected to be up to 22 hours.
- Time Savings: Approximately four hours less than current one-stop services.
- Aircraft Capacity: 238 passengers in four cabin classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
- Ticket Sales: Scheduled to begin in February 2027.
- Next Planned Route: Sydney to New York (USA), with details to be announced.
Aircraft Specifications
The A350-1000ULR is designed for ultra-long-haul flights. Key features include:
- An additional 20,000-litre fuel tank, extending the aircraft's range to approximately 18,500 km.
- A lighter, 238-passenger configuration, compared to the standard 300+ seats on other A350-1000 models.
- A "Wellbeing Zone" open to all passengers, intended for stretching and refreshments.
- The aircraft, named Vega, was displayed by Airbus without engines in a recent unveiling. Airbus stated this was because the plane was pulled from the production line for the event, not due to manufacturing issues.
Timeline of Delays
- 2017: Project Sunrise first announced by then-CEO Alan Joyce.
- 2022: Initial target launch date, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Early 2027: First delivery of the A350-1000ULR originally expected.
- April 2027: Revised delivery date for the first A350-1000ULR, attributed by Airbus to supply chain issues.
- October 2027: Current target date for launch of commercial Sydney-London nonstop flights.
- Mid-November 2027: Qantas expects to have five of the aircraft in its fleet.
Economic and Market Context
Qantas has stated the project could add over $400 million annually to earnings. Industry analysts have noted that the route's profitability will depend on achieving premium pricing across all classes, particularly given the high operational costs of ultra-long-haul flights.
- According to IATA data, business class seats (approximately 12% of passengers) typically generate about 75% of airline profits.
- Some analysts have cited potential economic pressures, including elevated fuel prices linked to geopolitical conflicts.
- Qantas CFO Rob Marcolina stated the airline is targeting premium leisure travelers willing to pay for a direct service, and dismissed concerns about competition from re-opened Middle Eastern routes.
- A Qantas-commissioned survey indicated that 70% of surveyed Australians would consider booking a nonstop flight of this length, rising to 80% among premium travelers.
Background and Statements
"Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we're taking out the last one." — Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson
- Project Sunrise is named after the World War II-era "Double Sunrise" flights operated by Qantas' predecessor between Australia and Sri Lanka.
- The Sydney-London route will be the first nonstop service between Australia's east coast and the United Kingdom.
- Hudson also noted that the aircraft could be used to repatriate Australians in times of crisis.