Qantas to launch world's longest non‑stop Sydney‑London flight in October 2027

Qantas Airways announced that its Project Sunrise will introduce a non‑stop service between Sydney and London, scheduled to begin in October 2027. The route will cover about 16,995 km in up to 22 hours, making it the longest commercial flight in the world. The airline will operate twelve Airbus A350‑1000ULR aircraft, each fitted with an extra 20,000‑liter rear fuel tank and a 238‑seat, premium‑heavy cabin layout.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in February 2027 and are projected to carry a premium of roughly 20 % over comparable one‑stop itineraries. Qantas estimates the service could contribute more than A$400 million to annual earnings. “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,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson. UK tourism minister Stephanie Peacock called the launch “a historic moment” and a “powerful vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for global tourism.”

The airline also plans a second ultra‑long‑haul route to New York after the Sydney‑London launch, and the new aircraft will free up existing Boeing 787s for network expansion.