Key facts
- Qantas will launch the first non-stop flight between London and Sydney in October 2027.
- The flight will use Airbus A350-1000 aircraft designed for ultra-long-haul journeys.
- The journey is expected to take approximately 22 hours.
- The airline has implemented measures such as increased legroom and a wellness space to mitigate health concerns associated with long flights.
- Qantas has recently settled a legal case for A$100m and was fined A$90m for industrial relations disputes.
Qantas has announced plans to launch the world's first non-stop flight between London and Sydney in October 2027, a journey expected to take around 22 hours. This ambitious route, dubbed Project Sunrise, aims to conquer the "tyranny of distance" that has historically defined travel between the two cities. The airline will utilize specially designed Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which feature an extra fuel tank and cabin optimizations to minimize jet lag.
While Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson expressed confidence in the route's success, citing customer willingness to pay a premium for direct travel, some analysts and frequent flyers remain cautious. The flight will save on landing fees but incurs a higher fuel bill, and nearly half of the seats will be in premium classes. To address potential health concerns like deep vein thrombosis, Qantas is increasing legroom in economy and adding a dedicated "wellness" space.
The launch comes after a challenging period for Qantas, marked by a A$100 million penalty for selling cancelled tickets and a A$90 million fine related to industrial disputes. These controversies contributed to a significant drop in the airline's ranking in the Skytrax Awards. Hudson emphasized the airline's focus on rebuilding trust and improving customer experience, with Project Sunrise seen as a key step in this effort.