Qantas to fly special Airbus jet on first Sydney-London nonstop

[SYDNEY] Qantas Airways will operate the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight between Sydney and London, marking a milestone for long-haul travel using a specially configured jet from Airbus.  

The inaugural route, part of the Australian airline’s long-delayed Project Sunrise, will start in October 2027, chief executive officer Vanessa Hudson said at an event in Toulouse, France, on Wednesday (Jun 17).

Qantas is set to receive its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in April after long delays in building the bespoke jet. The plane can fly more than 20 hours nonstop, carrying enough fuel to eliminate the need for the stopovers traditionally required on journeys between Australia and cities in Europe and the US. 

The challenge of building a plane capable of reaching almost any major city in the world from Australia’s east coast was laid down close to a decade ago by then-CEO Alan Joyce. The project has been beset by repeated delays, first because of the Covid-19 pandemic and then by supply-chain disruptions in the aftermath.

For decades, flying between London and the eastern part of the continent has been a two-leg journey taking at least 24 hours. In 1935, it took 12 ½ days.

The carrier is counting on the unique services to give it a leg up in the international market, where costs are soaring and the airline faces far more competition than in its domestic duopoly with Virgin Australia Holdings.

SEE ALSO

Qantas weighs order for 20 Boeing or Airbus wide-body jets, sources say

Asean Intelligence

Get insights into businesses across South-east Asia

Get the free report

The Sydney-based airline has ordered 12 of the ultralong-range model and is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for dozens more widebody planes to renew and expand its fleet. 

Hudson said the airline has seen more demand for point-to-point travel after the Iran war halted operations through some of the world’s busiest hubs for connecting flights in the Middle East. BLOOMBERG