Airbus, Boeing close in on Qantas' ultra-long haul dream

Sydney

BOTH Airbus and Boeing now offer aircraft that appear capable of flying non-stop commercial flights from Sydney to London - the "Holy Grail" for Australian carrier Qantas Airways.

As long as oil prices don't go much higher than around US$70 per barrel, the 20-hour flight can be financially viable, and could be on schedules within five years, aviation experts say.