Qantas Airways has confirmed the launch date for its hotly anticipated nonstop service between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and London Heathrow Airport. The Australian carrier announced that the first flights under its ambitious Project Sunrise program will begin in October 2027. This will immediately establish the route as the world’s longest scheduled commercial flight at up to 22 hours. The airline also delivered an update on its slated nonstop flights from Sydney to New York JFK, stating that this route will launch later in 2027.

Speaking during a visit to Airbus’ Toulouse facility to unveil its first A350-1000ULR in livery, Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson revealed that the record-breaking nonstop route between Sydney and London will begin in time for the IATA 2027-2028 Winter Season. The achievement marks over a decade since the Australian carrier announced its ambitions to connect Sydney to London and New York with nonstop flights, an undertaking that no commercial aircraft at the time was capable of achieving. The latter route to the US East Coast will follow just a few months after Qantas begins its London service, with Hudson stating it will launch towards the end of 2027, with a confirmed date to be announced early next year.

Special Aircraft Built for Ultra-Long-Range Missions

Airbus developed the A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) specifically to enable these unprecedented flights. The manufacturer extends the base A350-1000 model’s range by 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 km) by adding a 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank. Manufactured specially for Qantas, this extra range puts both Sydney-London and Sydney-New York within safe operating limits. The carrier has a total of 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft on order, along with another 12 A350-1000LR (Long Range) widebodies to come.

Each A350-1000ULR will be configured with 238 seats across four cabins, designed to maximize passenger comfort during the extended flight time. The aircraft’s enhanced fuel capacity enables it to fly more than 16,000 kilometers, making the Sydney-London journey technically feasible for the first time. Qantas has invested years of development and collaboration with Airbus to conquer what the airline calls the final frontier of long-haul aviation.

Historic Kangaroo Route Reaches New Milestone

Qantas has operated services between Sydney and London since 1947. The original route took four days with seven stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito, and Rome. The new nonstop flights will cut up to four hours off the travel time compared to the current one-stop services. This represents a massive leap in efficiency and convenience for passengers seeking to travel between Australia and the United Kingdom.

“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,” CEO Hudson commented.

Qantas will operate its historic ultra-long-haul services alongside its existing Perth-London and Sydney-Singapore-London services, providing passengers with more direct options for traveling between Australia and the United Kingdom. The airline’s commitment to reducing travel time reflects its founding belief that Australia’s distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way of connection and commerce. The Project Sunrise initiative represents the most significant step in the carrier’s 105-year history.

Tickets Go On Sale in Early 2027

Fares for the historic flights between Sydney and London will go on sale in February 2027. The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London services will officially launch in October 2027, marking a new era in commercial aviation. Though some observers have questioned whether passengers will embrace the idea of over 20 hours nonstop on an aircraft, Qantas points to the substantial time savings and increased convenience as compelling advantages. The airline expects strong demand based on the success of its existing ultra-long-haul routes.

Since 2018, more than 1.7 million passengers have flown on Qantas’ nonstop long-haul services from Perth to London, Rome and Paris, and its Melbourne to Dallas and Auckland to New York services. These routes, which utilize Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, have recorded the highest customer satisfaction scores on the airline’s international network. The positive passenger feedback demonstrates growing acceptance of ultra-long-haul travel when airlines design the experience thoughtfully.

CEO Highlights New Dawn of Global Travel

The confirmation of the October 2027 launch marks what CEO Vanessa Hudson describes as a new dawn of travel for customers around the world. This achievement is the culmination of Project Sunrise, an initiative pushing aviation technology and human endurance to new limits and shrinking the world for travelers. Hudson emphasized the pioneering spirit that has defined Qantas throughout its history, noting that today’s announcement represents the most significant milestone in the carrier’s journey.

“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,” Hudson stated at the Toulouse unveiling event.

The airline’s investment in the A350-1000ULR fleet demonstrates its commitment to maintaining its leadership position in long-haul aviation. Qantas continues to push boundaries in connecting Australia to major global destinations, building on decades of experience operating some of the world’s longest routes. The Sydney-London nonstop service will cement the carrier’s reputation as an innovator in aviation technology and passenger experience, while opening new possibilities for business and leisure travelers seeking the most efficient connections between Australia and Europe.

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