Qantas is about to announce world’s longest long-haul-flight

Qantas is preparing to reveal the first route for its Project Sunrise initiative, which will offer the world’s longest non-stop flights from eastern Australia to London or New York. The airline has been developing the plan since 2017, targeting a 22-hour journey to London—cutting the current 24-to-25-hour route via Singapore. New York is also a potential destination, though Qantas has not yet confirmed which city will launch first. The project relies on 12 modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, each equipped with an extra fuel tank to extend range to 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km). The first test flight occurred in May, with deliveries beginning in April 2027, delayed from the original 2022 timeline due to COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson previously stated the flights could generate over $400 million annually, assuming premium cabin fares 20% higher than one-stop alternatives. However, rising fuel costs from geopolitical tensions have increased financial risks. Analysts at Jefferies noted that while demand for direct Europe flights may grow, competition from Gulf carriers like Emirates and Asian hubs will persist through 2027. The Australian government’s recent lifting of a ‘do not travel’ warning for Gulf hubs further complicates Qantas’s strategy, as it removes a key differentiator for its non-stop routes. Qantas will present the project’s economics and cabin designs to investors and the public at an event in Toulouse this week. The airline’s decision to partner with Airbus over Boeing’s 777X in 2019 was critical to the project’s feasibility. Despite challenges, Qantas remains committed to redefining long-haul travel by eliminating layovers and appealing to premium passengers.