Qantas will fly non-stop between Sydney and London from October 2027, the first time the Kangaroo Route has been operated without a stop from Australia’s east coast.
The flying kangaroo has locked in Sydney-London as the launch route for Project Sunrise, its long-running plan to connect Australia’s east coast with Europe non-stop, with services set to begin in October 2027.
The confirmation coincided with the public unveiling of the first A350-1000ULR in Qantas livery at the Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, the aircraft purpose-built to fly the ultra-long-haul mission.
The route marks the first time travellers will be able to fly direct from Australia’s east coast to the United Kingdom, removing the traditional stopover that has defined the Kangaroo Route for decades.
What the route opens up
The UK remains one of Australia’s top outbound markets, and a direct Sydney-London service strips the layover in the Middle East or Asia out of the journey for those willing to pay for it.
The A350-1000ULR is the aircraft that makes the mission possible, fitted with the extended range needed to cover the distance in a single hop, and having recently completed its first test flight.
For travel sellers, the launch also creates a clear premium-leisure and corporate proposition for clients who value time over a stopover, alongside the existing one-stop options already serving the UK.
The final frontier
Qantas Group chief executive Vanessa Hudson framed the route as the carrier’s most significant milestone in more than a century of operation.
“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,” she said.
“We made a commitment in 2017 that Qantas would conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation and connect Australia’s east coast directly to London, something that has never before been possible. From October 2027, that promise becomes reality.”
Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell called the new service “a significant milestone for aviation and tourism in both Australia and the UK and a demonstration of the strong friendship between our two nations”.
“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 stated.
UK Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock is similarly buoyed by the new service.
“This is a historic moment, not just for British aviation and tourism, but for the millions of passengers who will experience flying from Sydney to London non-stop for the first time,” he remarked.
“Qantas‘ decision to make London the first destination for Project Sunrise is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for global tourism, and a reflection of the deep ties between our two countries.
“Today marks a new phase of this role, opening up new opportunities for businesses, tourism, and the people who make both possible across Australia and the UK.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: A non-stop Sydney to London service is the kind of bucket-list product that sells itself to premium and time-poor clients, even with the layover-laden one-stop alternatives still on the table. With an October 2027 start, there is a long runway for travel advisors to start framing the conversation now.
All images (except top) by Stuart Bailey
