Qantas Airways has selected London as the first destination for its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights, paving the way for what is expected to become the world’s longest non-stop commercial passenger service.
The Australian carrier said the flights will connect Sydney and London in about 20 hours, eliminating the traditional stopover on the route.
Qantas plans to begin ticket sales in February 2027 and launch the service in October 2027 using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft capable of flying up to 22 hours with 238 passengers on board.
The airline said it also plans to operate similar non-stop services between Sydney and New York under the Project Sunrise programme.
Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson said the project would help overcome Australia’s geographic isolation and offer travellers significant time savings by avoiding layovers.
The initiative, named after Qantas’ World War Two “Double Sunrise” flights, is part of a broader fleet renewal programme involving billions of dollars in aircraft investments and passenger comfort research.
Industry analysts say the success of the venture will depend on whether passengers are willing to pay premium fares for the convenience of direct travel.
Qantas expects the new route to strengthen its position in the long-haul market while redefining global air travel.