Qantas Nears Nonstop Sydney-London Flights After Successful Test

Jul 25, 2026

51 min

Jul 25, 2026 13:32

Qantas moves closer to nonstop Sydney-London flights with 19-hour test flight

## Project Sunrise Milestone

Qantas has moved a step closer to launching nonstop flights between Sydney and London with a successful 19-hour test flight. The Airbus A350-1000ULR took off from Toulouse, France, and landed in Melbourne, covering nearly 17,000 kilometers without passengers.

## Certification Flight

This flight was part of the certification process for Qantas' ambitious Project Sunrise, which aims to offer direct flights between Sydney and London. The aircraft, still owned by Airbus, was operated by four test pilots and five engineers.

## Aircraft Features

The A350-1000ULR is equipped with an additional fuel tank, allowing it to fly for up to 22 hours. It will carry 238 passengers across four cabins, offering more space and a Wellbeing Zone for movement during the flight.

## Future Plans

Qantas plans to receive its first Project Sunrise aircraft in April next year, with ticket sales starting in February 2027. The airline aims to begin daily nonstop Sydney-London flights by October 2027, followed by Sydney-New York services as more aircraft are delivered.

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