Qantas launches non‑stop Sydney‑London ultra‑long‑haul flights, upgrades London lounge

Qantas announced that its Project Sunrise will commence non‑stop flights between Sydney and London in October 2027. The service will use twelve Airbus A350‑1000ULR aircraft fitted with an extra 20,000‑litre fuel tank, offering 238 seats across First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. First‑class suites will feature a separate sleeping area, privacy doors, wireless charging and a “Wellbeing Zone” with movement space and specialised lighting designed to mitigate jet‑lag, based on research by the University of Sydney.

Ticket sales are set to begin in February 2027, with the flight lasting about 21‑22 hours—making it the world’s longest commercial route. In parallel, Qantas confirmed a pragmatic upgrade of its existing Heathrow lounge rather than building a new first‑class lounge. The redesign will add 40‑60 seats, expand shower facilities and create an invitation‑only premium dining area modeled on the Auckland lounge, while reconfiguring bar space to increase overall capacity.

The combined initiatives aim to enhance the passenger experience on the new ultra‑long‑haul service and strengthen Qantas’s premium offering in the UK market.