Qantas pushes ahead with Project Sunrise ultra‑long‑haul A350‑1000ULR

Qantas is advancing its Project Sunrise programme, which aims to operate 22‑hour nonstop flights between Sydney and London using a specially modified Airbus A350‑1000 ultra‑long‑range (ULR) aircraft. The airline cites internal research showing consumer intent to book ultra‑long‑haul flights rising from 58 % in February to 70 % in May, with 80 % of premium travellers expressing interest.

Technical upgrades include a 20,000‑litre additional fuel tank, AI‑powered flight‑planning tools, cabin “Wellness Zones” and studies of circadian rhythms to reduce jet‑lag. Airbus describes the variant as an incremental development of an existing platform, helping keep its engineering capacity active. Other carriers have shown interest in the A350‑1000ULR model. While travel patterns remain uncertain due to recent Middle‑East conflicts, Qantas believes demand for nonstop Sydney‑London service is stronger than ever.