Qantas Launches World’s Longest Sydney-London Nonstop Flight

Qantas is preparing to launch what it claims will be the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight, a direct service between Sydney and London scheduled to commence in October 2027. The journey is anticipated to take up to 22 hours, marking a significant advancement in long-haul travel as part of the airline’s ambitious Project Sunrise initiative.

This new route aims to directly connect Australia’s east coast with major global destinations, a long-held goal for Qantas. The airline recently unveiled its specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, designed for ultra-long-haul operations. These planes feature an extended fuel tank, enabling them to cover distances exceeding 16,000 kilometers (nearly 10,000 miles) without refueling.

The Sydney-London service will be the first nonstop connection between Australia’s east coast and the United Kingdom. Qantas estimates this will cut travel time by up to four hours compared to current one-stop options. Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson highlighted the historical significance, stating, “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.”

Project Sunrise, first announced in 2017, is designed to push the boundaries of commercial aviation. The A350-1000ULRs for this project are being built to carry 238 passengers across four cabin classes. Qantas plans to take delivery of 12 of these aircraft and will put the Sydney-London flights on sale in February 2027.

This new route is expected to surpass Singapore Airlines’ current nonstop service between Singapore and New York, which is recognized as one of the world’s longest regularly scheduled commercial flights. Qantas’ decision is supported by recent research indicating a strong demand for ultra-long-haul travel, with 70% of surveyed Australians expressing interest in booking such flights, and 80% among premium travelers.

Qantas has already seen success with its existing long-haul nonstop services, which have carried over 1.7 million passengers since 2018, including routes from Perth to London, Rome, and Paris. Beyond London, Sydney to New York is slated to be the next route added to the Project Sunrise network, with further details anticipated next year.

Preparations are underway, with pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel undergoing specialized training in anticipation of the aircraft’s delivery and the service’s launch.