Qantas to begin non-stop Sydney-London flights from October 2027

Australian flag carrier Qantas has confirmed that it will begin operating the world's first direct flights between Sydney and London in October 2027, marking a major milestone in long-haul aviation. The airline also revealed that a non-stop Sydney-New York route will follow as part of its broader strategy to expand ultra-long-haul international services from Australia's east coast.

The highly anticipated initiative, known as Project Sunrise, has faced several delays over the years but is now moving closer to reality. Once launched, the service is expected to reduce travel time between Sydney and London by as much as four hours compared to current one-stop journeys.

Qantas Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson described the announcement as a defining moment for the airline, highlighting its long-standing mission to overcome Australia's geographic isolation through innovation in air travel.


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She said, “Qantas was built on the belief that Australia's distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way. The pioneering spirit of generations of our people has forged that path ever since, and today is the most significant step in that mission in our 105-year history."

The route will be operated using specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, designed specifically for ultra-long-distance travel. The aircraft recently completed test flights in Toulouse, France, and features an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables flights lasting up to 22 hours without refuelling.

Qantas plans to acquire 12 of these aircraft, each equipped with 238 seats distributed across four cabin classes. Ticket sales for the Sydney-London service are expected to commence in February 2027.

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According to the airline, the direct connection could complete the journey in approximately 19 hours under favourable conditions. The aircraft's interior has been developed with passenger wellbeing in mind, incorporating research-backed features aimed at reducing fatigue and minimising the effects of jet lag during the extended flight.

Project Sunrise takes its name from a historic World War II operation in which Qantas flights remained airborne long enough for passengers and crew to witness two sunrises during a single journey.

Although the airline first announced plans for these ultra-long-haul routes nearly a decade ago, various operational and industry challenges pushed back the original launch timelines. The most recent target had been the first half of 2027.

Following the Sydney-London debut, Qantas intends to introduce direct Sydney-New York flights using the same aircraft type. Further details regarding the launch schedule for that route are expected to be released next year.

To prepare for the new operations, Qantas has already begun pilot training using an Airbus A350 simulator in Sydney, while additional training is being conducted in collaboration with British Airways in the United Kingdom. By the time all 12 aircraft are delivered, the airline expects to have trained more than 360 pilots and around 1,200 cabin crew members for Project Sunrise operations.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell welcomed the development, calling it a significant achievement for both the aviation and tourism sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom. “Australia is a world class tourism destination and the new direct route launched by Qantas will help bring more people to our shores to experience the best we have to offer,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)