Key facts
- Qantas will announce the first destination for its ultra-long-haul "Project Sunrise" flights on Wednesday.
- The flights will connect eastern Australia non-stop to destinations such as London or New York.
- The project aims to reduce travel time to a maximum of 22 hours.
- Qantas has ordered modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for these routes.
- The airline expects to attract ticket prices around 20% higher than one-stop alternatives in premium cabins.
Qantas Airways is poised to reveal the inaugural destination for its ambitious "Project Sunrise" initiative, which aims to establish the world's longest non-stop commercial flights from eastern Australia to destinations like London or New York. The airline plans to bypass traditional transit hubs, offering a significantly compressed travel time of up to 22 hours, a stark contrast to the current 24-25 hour journeys via Middle Eastern or Asian hubs.
The project, named after Qantas's World War Two endurance flights, represents a substantial investment for the Australian carrier, involving fleet modifications, cabin research, and studies into the physiological effects of such extended travel. Success hinges on persuading passengers to pay a premium for the convenience of direct travel, particularly in business and premium economy classes, as noted by aviation analyst John Strickland.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has indicated that ticket prices for these non-stop flights are expected to be approximately 20% higher than comparable one-stop options. While analysts at Jefferies foresee a positive market for the London route, citing passenger preferences for direct flights, the airline faces competition from Gulf carriers like Emirates. The Australian government's recent lifting of a "do not travel" warning on Gulf hubs may also impact travel insurance policies and transit passengers.
Airbus secured the order for 12 modified A350-1000ULR aircraft, which feature an extended range due to an additional fuel tank. The first of these planes is slated for delivery in April 2027, a delay attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent aerospace supply chain issues. Qantas is also reportedly in discussions for an additional 20 wide-body jets from either Airbus or Boeing.