Qantas has revealed that it will be launching the first direct route between Sydney and London in 2027. Project Sunrise has been years in the making, so it’s great to see the latest update on the horizon. It comes after Qantas took delivery of its latest widebody, long-haul jet, an Airbus A350-1000 specialised for flying the 21 hour journey with no stopover.

Australian Business Class travellers will now have another direct route to Europe. East Coast passengers will have access to a seamless connection to a major hub, without having to fly to Perth. See our Qantas Business Class deals on our website to learn more.

What to Expect On This Project Sunrise Route

Flights are expected to begin from October 2027. Qantas has previously mentioned it also wants to begin direct flights from other East Coast cities to London, as well as other major hubs like New York.

To complement the direct route between Perth and London, Project Sunrise was first unveiled back in 2017. The 12 modified Airbus A350-1000ULR jets ordered by Qantas for Project Sunrise are designed to fly up to 22 hours with 238 passengers on board. They feature an extra fuel tank that will increase the range of the aircraft by an extra 1,800 kilometres. The flights are so long that much of the fuel is used merely to carry the weight of the rest of the fuel.

It’s expected to take between 19 and 22 hours on the journey between Sydney and London. Compared with the current QF1 route which includes a stopover in Singapore, that takes 25 hours. Qantas has invested billions of dollars in the aircraft, cabin upgrades and research into passenger health on ultra-long flights. So, will travellers be convinced to pay more to avoid layovers?

Qantas Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson said in February that ticket prices could be around 20 per cent higher than one-stop alternatives in premium cabins. However Qantas is adamant about connecting Australia to the rest of the world seamlessly, despite the distance.

"Qantas was built on the belief that Australia's distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way," Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said in a statement.

"The pioneering spirit of generations of our people has forged that path ever since, and today is the most significant step in that mission in our 105-year history."

What’s Featured on Project Sunrise?

Onboard the A350 Business Suite you’ll find 52 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Guests will enjoy a sliding door and innovative designs and materials to deliver a superior level of inflight comfort. Your suite will be 1 metre wide with a 1.2 metre high privacy wall and a 2 metre long fully flat bed; longer than Qantas' A280 First Class flat bed.

Business Class passengers will have access to an architectural feature light, touchscreen suite controller, USB-A and C outlets, AC power outlets and wireless charging. Relax and stream your favourite movie on the 18” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity.

Other features include a cushioned leather ottoman that also lifts for increased storage. Alongside a smaller unit with a mirror, a cocktail and work surface and a separate upholstered glove box.

Will the onboard experience hold up against a 21 hour journey? We’re excited to test the product, and you should be too! Bookings are available from February 2027, where the first flights should take place in October 2027. Chat to an airfare specialist to learn more.