Qantas Project Sunrise: Sydney–London Nonstop Flight Plan Explained for November 2026

Information checked: November 9, 2026, at 05:10 UTC (UTC+00:00).

Qantas plans to launch daily nonstop flights between Sydney and London in October 2027 under Project Sunrise, its long-running effort to connect Australia’s east coast with distant cities without a stop. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in February 2027, but the start of service and ticket sales remain subject to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification.

The airline says the journey could save up to four hours compared with its existing service, while requiring passengers to spend up to 22 hours on one aircraft. The current Sydney–Singapore–London option is set to continue for travelers who prefer a break. Qantas’s Project Sunrise hub and its flight-number announcement outline the current plan.

Destaques

• Qantas plans daily Sydney–London nonstop flights from October 2027, with tickets scheduled for sale in February 2027.
• The flights will use a specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR with 238 seats across four cabins.
• Qantas says the nonstop journey could save up to four hours, though the aircraft is designed for flights of up to 22 hours.
• The Singapore stopover service will remain, giving travelers a choice between one long flight and a break in the journey.

What is Qantas Project Sunrise?

Project Sunrise is Qantas’s program to operate ultra-long-haul flights from Australia’s east coast to destinations including London and New York without an intermediate stop. The airline announced the ambition in 2017 and ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for the project in 2022.

For Sydney–London travelers, the key change is straightforward: instead of landing elsewhere to break the journey, passengers would stay on the same aircraft until they reach their destination. This is a proposed new option on the historic Kangaroo Route, which Qantas says began linking Sydney and London in 1947 with seven stops over four days.

When will the Sydney–London nonstop flight start?

Qantas’s published plan calls for daily flights from October 2027. As of the check above, the airline had identified the month rather than a specific first-flight date in its Project Sunrise hub. It expects to put tickets on sale in February 2027; travelers should check the airline’s booking information when sales open for actual dates, departure times, and fares.

The proposed service also depends on aircraft certification and regulatory approvals. The first aircraft intended for delivery to Qantas, named Vega, is expected in April 2027. An A350-1000ULR test aircraft completed its first flight in June 2026 and took part in further testing, including a trip between Toulouse and Melbourne. A test flight is a development milestone, not the start of passenger service. Qantas describes the test program and delivery plan.

How long will the flight take, and which flight numbers will it use?

Qantas says the modified aircraft can operate nonstop for up to 22 hours and that Sydney–London customers could save up to four hours compared with the existing service. Those figures describe the aircraft’s capability and a potential saving, not a guaranteed duration for every departure. Actual schedules and journey times will depend on the published timetable and operating conditions.

Qantas plans to assign flight numbers QF1 and QF2 to the nonstop Sydney–London service. Its existing service via Singapore is expected to continue as QF5 and QF6. Check the flight number and itinerary when booking: a familiar number alone does not describe whether a particular journey includes a stop.

What aircraft will Qantas use for Project Sunrise?

The Airbus A350-1000ULR is an ultra-long-range version of the A350-1000. Qantas says it has an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank and a modified fuel system to support the long journey. Airbus has also described the work involved in developing and testing the variant. Read Airbus’s account of flight testing.

Qantas plans 238 seats on each Project Sunrise aircraft: six First suites, 52 Business suites, 40 Premium Economy seats, and 140 Economy seats. The Economy total includes 42 Economy Plus seats. Cabin designs are indicative and may change before service begins.

What will the cabin be like on a 20-hour-plus flight?

Qantas says its planned Wellbeing Zone will sit between Premium Economy and Economy, with stretch handles, an on-screen movement program, water, and refreshments. The airline also plans lighting designed around different phases of the flight and free Wi-Fi across cabins. These features are intended to make a long journey more manageable; they do not guarantee that a passenger will avoid fatigue or jet lag.

In Economy, Qantas lists a 33-inch seat pitch across more than 70% of the cabin, while Economy Plus seats are planned with a 34-inch pitch. Pitch is the distance between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat ahead, so it is useful for comparison but is not a direct measurement of legroom. Check the final seat map and fare inclusions before buying.

Should travelers choose nonstop or fly through Singapore?

The nonstop service could appeal to travelers who value an uninterrupted journey and the potential time saving. A one-stop itinerary may suit people who prefer to walk through an airport, divide their time in the air, or arrange a longer stopover. Total travel time, the length of the connection, seat selection, and fare conditions will matter alongside the advertised flight duration.

Prices and the exact nonstop timetable should be checked when bookings become available. A shorter itinerary is not automatically the best fit for everyone, particularly when the trade-off is a very long period on board.

Will Project Sunrise include Sydney–New York?

Yes. Qantas’s current plan places nonstop Sydney–New York flights after the London launch, from mid-2028, with ticket sales scheduled from August 2027. Those plans are also subject to the relevant approvals and certification. Travelers should treat the dates as plans that may change rather than as confirmed reservations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book the nonstop Sydney–London flight now?

Qantas says tickets are scheduled to go on sale in February 2027, subject to approvals and aircraft certification.

Will Qantas still fly from Sydney to London via Singapore?

Yes. Qantas plans to keep the Singapore service and use flight numbers QF5 and QF6 for it.

Is Project Sunrise already flying passengers?

No. The aircraft has undergone flight testing, while the first scheduled Sydney–London passenger service is planned for October 2027.