Qantas delays Sydney-London non-stop flights to October 2027
Consensus Summary
Qantas has announced its long-awaited non-stop Sydney to London flights under Project Sunrise will finally launch in October 2027, five years behind the original 2022 target. The delay stems from aircraft delivery issues, including the first Airbus A350-1000ULR now expected in April 2027 instead of late 2026. The 12 modified planes, each seating 238 passengers, will cut travel time from 25 hours (with a Singapore stopover) to 19â22 hours non-stop. The project, first proposed in 2017, requires premium pricingâestimated around 20% higher than one-stop alternativesâto offset costs, though rising fuel prices may further strain profitability. Qantas also plans to expand Project Sunrise to other routes, including Sydney to New York, with details to follow in 2027.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Qantas will launch non-stop Sydney to London flights in October 2027
- The flights will use 12 modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft with 238 seats each
- Project Sunrise was first announced in 2017 by former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce
- The Sydney-London route will take 19â22 hours non-stop, compared to 25 hours with a Singapore stopover
- Qantas is buying 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for Project Sunrise, each with an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank
- The first aircraft delivery was originally expected in late 2026 but is now pushed to April 2027
- Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson stated the flights will 'conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Qantas previously blamed delays on an extended wait for delivery of new Airbus A350s designed for ultra-long-haul flights
- The airline said tickets could go on sale in February 2027, but prices were not disclosed
- Qantas plans a Sydney to New York non-stop route, with a launch date to be revealed in 2027
- The A350-1000ULR is designed to fly 16,000km over 22 hours non-stop
- The project is a major gamble involving billions in aircraft, cabin upgrades, and research into passenger health on ultra-long flights
- Analyst John Strickland said Qantas must charge a premium (around 20% higher) in premium cabins to break even
- The Red Kangaroo already operates direct London-Perth flights
- The journey time is expected to be between 19 and 22 hours, with the current QF1 route (via Singapore) taking 25 hours
- Qantas named Project Sunrise after its WWII double sunrise endurance flights
- The project could add over $400 million annually to earnings, but high energy prices have raised the break-even threshold
- The launch is described as a 'major gamble' for Qantas involving billions in aircraft, cabin upgrades, and passenger health research
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Airbus revealed the first aircraft delivery in April 2027, while the ABC does not mention this specific date shift
- The ABC mentions a 20% premium price estimate from February, but the Guardian does not confirm this exact figure
Source Articles
Qantas delays non-stop flights from Sydney to London â again
Problematic history of airlineâs Project Sunrise continues, with scheduled start date pushed back to October 2027 Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Qantas has again delayed its planned non-stop service between Sydney and London, with the flights now scheduled to start in October 2027. But the airline noted on Wednesday that âaircraft delivery, on-sale and service commencementâ were all âsubject to regulatory approv
Qantas says non-stop Sydney-London flights to launch in October 2027
It is a major gamble for Qantas, involving billions of dollars in aircraft, cabin upgrades and research into passenger health on ultra-long flights.
Sydney-to-London unveiled as first route for Qantas's Project Sunrise
The flights, set to begin take off from next year, will mark the first time flights from the east coast will complete the Kangaroo Route without a stop over.