Qantas Project Sunrise brings non-stop London to Australia business travel closer
The first Airbus A350-1000ULR designed for Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise programme has successfully completed its maiden test flight, marking a major milestone towards the launch of the world’s longest non-stop commercial flights between Australia’s east coast and London and New York.
For UK business travellers, this development is particularly significant because it brings closer the prospect of direct flights between London and Australia’s largest business centres, eliminating the need for intermediate stops and reducing total journey times by up to four hours. For travellers whose schedules are dictated by productivity, client meetings and tight itineraries, fewer connections can mean less disruption and greater efficiency in business travel.
The specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) took off from Toulouse, France, and completed a three-hour and 43-minute test flight over France and the Atlantic coast. The aircraft is the first of 12 ordered by Qantas under Project Sunrise and is designed to enable non-stop flights of up to 22 hours between Sydney and destinations including London Heathrow and New York JFK.
According to Qantas, “Qantas’ Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed its maiden test flight, marking a significant milestone ahead of the launch of commercial flights that will connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York, non-stop, for the first time ever.” The airline added: “Qantas will announce the first Project Sunrise route and timing of its inaugural commercial services later this month.”
The maiden flight focused on testing the aircraft’s primary systems, including a specialised fuel system featuring an additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank. This enhancement extends the aircraft’s range sufficiently to support commercial services lasting up to 22 hours, making it one of the longest-range passenger aircraft ever developed. The flight marks the beginning of an intensive two-month testing and certification programme involving around 80 hours of flying and extensive ground-based evaluations.
Alongside the flight testing programme, a second Project Sunrise aircraft is progressing through Airbus’ final assembly line, where it is being fitted with its four-class interior and painted in Qantas livery. This aircraft is expected to be the first delivered to Qantas, with delivery currently scheduled for April 2027.
Project Sunrise was first announced in 2017 and aims to overcome what Qantas describes as the final frontier in long-haul aviation by connecting Australia’s east coast directly with Europe and North America. The programme takes its name from Qantas’ historic “Double Sunrise” flights during the Second World War, which remained airborne long enough for passengers to witness two sunrises during a single journey.
The aircraft have been designed specifically for ultra-long-haul operations, with passenger wellbeing at the forefront. Features include customised lighting systems, carefully timed meal services and spacious cabin layouts developed in collaboration with aviation specialists, industrial designer David Caon and researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. The aircraft will carry just 238 passengers, significantly fewer than a typical A350-1000, providing more personal space for travellers on flights approaching a full day in duration.
Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:
“For UK business travellers with regular commitments in Australia, Project Sunrise has the potential to be genuinely transformative. Direct flights between London and Australia’s east coast will reduce overall travel time, remove the inconvenience of stopovers and create new opportunities for more productive and efficient business travel. It is another example of how airlines are investing in innovation to improve the traveller experience on some of the world's longest routes.”
Qantas is expected to announce the first Project Sunrise route and the timing of its inaugural commercial services later this month.
If you would like further information about how developments such as Project Sunrise may affect your business travel programme, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.