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Key takeaways
- Qantas will launch the world’s longest non-stop flight from Sydney to London in October 2027.
- Thanks to modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, the journey will take less than 21 hours.
- Premium pricing strategies are expected to boost annual profit by more than 400 million Australian dollars.
From October 2027, Qantas Airways plans to launch the longest non-stop air route in the world, linking Sydney and London. This initiative, announced by CEO Vanessa Hudson in Toulouse, makes use of the Airbus A350-1000ULR to eliminate the need for traditional stopovers on the “Kangaroo Route”.
The estimated travel time is between 19 and 21 hours, which represents a considerable reduction compared to the current journey of 24 to 25 hours with a stopover. Passengers will be able to book the flights from February 2027.
Project Sunrise
This project is part of a broader strategy known as “Project Sunrise”. To cover the distances involved, Qantas has ordered 12 specialised aircraft, the first of which is expected to arrive in April 2027.
Additional fuel tank
These modified aircraft are equipped with an additional fuel tank in the rear centre section, extending their range to around 18,500 kilometres and enabling a maximum flight duration of 22 hours with a capacity of 238 passengers.
Profit expectations
From a financial perspective, this project represents a multi-billion-euro investment for the airline. To ensure profitability and offset the high fuel costs associated with such extreme distances, Qantas plans to charge a premium of up to 20 per cent for these time-saving tickets.
Despite the high costs, the company expects that the expansion will increase annual profit by more than 400 million Australian dollars (around 244 million euros).
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