Australia is one step closer to nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York City, with the first Qantas A350-1000ULR aircraft now received and ready for final tests as Project Sunrise takes shape ahead of commercial flights in early 2027.
The first Qantas A350 has rolled off the assembly line at Airbus’ Toulouse facilities in southern France, fitted with all components, including Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, fuselage, wings and landing gear.
The ultra-long-range Qantas A350 will transform Sydney-London and Sydney-NYC routes by enabling nonstop service from Australia to anywhere in the world for the first time.
Crucially, it will allow the carrier to bypass the Middle East on Europe-bound routes.
With 20,000 additional litres of capacity in a rear tank, it will reduce flight time by up to four hours to nonstop 22-hour services compared to one-stop flight times.
What does the first Qantas A350 rollout mean for Project Sunrise?
First announced in 2017, the Project Sunrise plan of direct flights from Australia’s east coast to London and NYC has been eagerly anticipated.
The first test flight is now imminent with the new Qantas A350 ready to start final ground checks and a two-month flight testing campaign. The first name of the fleet, which will all be named after stars, will also be revealed mid-year.
The first of 12 aircraft on order will be delivered by the end of 2026 with 238 seats (much less than the 350 seats available on A350s) with extra legroom and 40 per cent dedicated to premium cabins – First, Business and Premium Economy.
Each A350 features spacious cabins, including a Wellbeing Zone to allow passengers to move around, plus healthy snacks and drinks on hand, custom lighting using circadian rhythms to combat jetlag and fast, free inflight Wi-Fi.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the progress brings Project Sunrise one step closer to reality.
|These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science-backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing,” she said.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For advisors, the Qantas A350 is not just an aircraft milestone; it signals how airlines are packaging time savings, premium comfort and wellbeing as a stronger selling point in the next era of long-haul travel.
