QANTAS: Project Sunrise announces first route, Sydney to London non-stop. Surprise, surprise!

CEO Vanessa Hudson just travelled to Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to announce that London, from Sydney, would be the first Project Sunrise route, followed by New York. Is that really news? We knew it had to be an east coast departure, so that’s Sydney or Melbourne (Brisbane doesn’t have a First Class lounge, so no, not in the race). And we knew it would be a premium demand destination given the new A350-1000ULR’s premium heavy configuration. We also know that travel to the US is a little bumpy at the moment, so London was the almost certain choice.

What is new is that Qantas has finally put a date on its Project Sunrise dream. The airline will launch non-stop flights between Sydney and London from October 2027, making London the first destination for its specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft.

Tickets are due to go on sale in February 2027, subject to aircraft delivery, certification, regulatory approvals, and the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines working as planned.

Qantas also unveiled its first A350-1000ULR in full livery. The aircraft is part of a 12-strong order designed specifically for ultra-long-haul flying from Australia’s east coast to Europe and North America.

Sydney to New York is confirmed as the next Project Sunrise route, but without a start or booking from date. We will have to await an announcement in 2027 to have those details revealed.

The Kangaroo Route

Qantas first flew the Kangaroo Route between Sydney and London in 1947. That journey took four days and stopped seven times: Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome. Over the decades, newer aircraft progressively chopped out stops, until Qantas launched Perth–London non-stop in 2018 using a 787 Dreamliner.

Project Sunrise is the next step. Now, the flights will not just be Australia to London non-stop, but Sydney to London non-stop. That matters, it’s important, because the east coast is where the bulk of Australia’s population lives.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson leaned heavily into that history, saying:

“Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we’re taking out the last one.”

Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO

Up to 22 hours in the air

The aircraft deployed is not a standard Airbus A350-1000. Qantas’ version has an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank, giving it a 16,000 kilometres range, and allowing it to remain airborne for up to 22 hours.

The aircraft will seat just 238 passengers across four cabins: six First suites, 52 Business suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy seats. That is a very low-density layout for an A350-1000. Most cram in 300+ seats. It also tells us that Qantas is banking on filling most of the plane with premium passengers, and travellers willing to pay to avoid the stopover.

Qantas says the non-stop service will cut up to four hours from current one-stop Sydney to London journeys. That is the big sell. No Dubai, no Singapore, no Doha, no sprint through a terminal to make your connection.

Comfort, science and the Wellbeing Zone

Qantas is selling Project Sunrise as a longer flight and a different kind of long-haul experience. The airline claims the cabin has been designed around sleep, movement and jet-lag reduction, with input from Caon Design, Neil Perry and the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.

The aircraft will include circadian-informed lighting, fast, free Wi-Fi, Bluetooth audio, larger premium cabins, and a Wellbeing Zone open to all passengers. Economy gets a 33-inch pitch. That’s generous by modern long-haul standards. Although 20-plus hours in any economy seat remains a test of character, circulation, and probably will increase the sales of compression socks.

Sydney to London non-stop will still be one very long sitting.

Training commenced

Qantas says pilots have begun training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney, as well as with British Airways in the UK. Some pilots will also fly with Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong in the coming months.

The initial Project Sunrise pilot group is being drawn from Qantas’ current A330 pilots, with 40 already in training. By the time the 12th A350-1000ULR arrives, Qantas expects more than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew to be trained for this new model A350-1000.

Let’s hope we see a corresponding lift in service standards, catering quality and amenities.

Background

Project Sunrise was first announced as an ambition in 2017, with Qantas later selecting the Airbus A350 and placing its order in 2022. The original dream has been slowed by COVID, aircraft supply chain problems, and the difficulty of certifying a bespoke ultra-long-range aircraft and cabin.

The first aircraft, now named Vega, is due for delivery in April 2027. Qantas’ second aircraft is undergoing an eight-week testing and certification program following its first flight earlier this month.

2PAXfly Takeout

I have always thought Project Sunrise was a slightly mad idea. Other than a few passengers where timing was critical, I couldn’t, and still can’t see the appeal. Especially when it is expected to come at a 20% price premium. I like being able to break my journey. Even a few hours at the Singapore First Lounge, with a shower, makes a long-haul flight more enjoyable. And of course, you can turn that into a mini break, with a few days in the Merlion city.

For Qantas, this is about premium revenue and defending the Kangaroo Route against Middle Eastern and Asian hub carriers. And, for the next few months, that competition will be fierce. The Australian Government has just reduced its guidance from ‘Do not travel’ to ‘Reconsider your need to travel’. Expect some bargain fares from Etihad, Emirates and Qatar as they try to reclaim market share, lost during the conflict.

Congratulations to Qantas for getting this far. But the real news will be when Qantas announces its fare schedule. That should come in February 2027 when fares go on sale. I’ll keep you posted.