Get ready for a new aviation record. Qantas has confirmed that Sydney to London will be the first route of its long-awaited “Project Sunrise”, launching the world’s longest non-stop passenger flight in October 2027. Covering more than 16,000 kilometres in a single hop, the service will connect the two cities directly for the first time ever – with flight times of between 19 and 22 hours.

Sydney to London non-stop: the key facts

• Route: Sydney → London (the first-ever non-stop service)
• Distance: more than 16,000 km
• Flight time: 19 to 22 hours
• Launch: October 2027
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range)
• Next route: Sydney → New York

What is Project Sunrise?

Project Sunrise is Qantas’s decade-long ambition to connect Australia’s east coast directly with the world’s major cities – no stopovers, no connections. The airline made the commitment back in 2017, calling it “the final frontier of long-haul aviation.”

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson put the achievement in historical context: “Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we’re taking out the last one.” From October 2027, she added, “that promise becomes reality.”

It is the latest chapter in Qantas’s push to shrink the distance between Australia and the world – the airline has also been expanding elsewhere, including a new route between Italy and Australia.

The aircraft: a specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR

Qantas has unveiled the first of 12 specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR jets that will fly the route. To cross the planet without refuelling, each aircraft carries an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank. The first jet is currently undergoing certification, while a second completed its first flight earlier in June 2026 as part of an eight-week testing programme.

Crucially, Qantas has prioritised passenger space over packing in seats. Each aircraft is configured for just 238 passengers across four cabin classes:

• 140 economy seats
• 98 premium seats (premium economy, business and first)

That is a deliberately low-density layout for a jet this size – a nod to the challenge of keeping passengers comfortable for nearly a full day in the air. It is a very different philosophy from the now-retired superjumbo era; remember when Airbus gave up on the A380?

How it compares to today’s longest flights

The Sydney-London route will comfortably claim the world record. Here is how it stacks up against the current champions:

• Current longest scheduled flight: Singapore Airlines SQ24 (Singapore-New York), at 15,349 km and just under 19 hours – but it operates without an economy cabin. Singapore Airlines is regularly voted the world’s best airline.
• Current longest economy flight: Qantas’s own London-Perth service, at 14,499 km and 16-18 hours.

At more than 16,000 km, Sydney-London will leapfrog both – and unlike the Singapore record-holder, it will carry economy passengers too. For context on just how far aviation has stretched the limits, see when the world’s longest flight landed in New Zealand.

Nearly a full day in the air

Spending 19 to 22 hours on a single flight raises obvious questions about comfort, jet lag and wellbeing. That is exactly why Qantas opted for fewer seats and more space per passenger, and why the project has taken years of research and aircraft modification to get right. For travellers, the upside is clear: no more long layovers in the Middle East or Asia, and a genuine door-to-door time saving of several hours.

What’s next: Sydney to New York

Sydney-London is only the beginning. Qantas has confirmed Sydney-New York as the next Project Sunrise route, with launch timing to be announced in 2027. Today, reaching New York from Australia means at least one stop – a direct service would once again rewrite the record books.

Why it matters for travellers

For anyone who has endured the marathon journey between Europe and Australia – often via connecting flights to Sydney and Melbourne – a single non-stop hop is a genuine game-changer. It will not be the cheapest way to fly, but for time-poor travellers and business flyers, cutting out the stopover entirely could be worth the premium.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Qantas Sydney-London flight start?

The service is scheduled to launch in October 2027.

How long is the flight?

Between 19 and 22 hours non-stop, covering more than 16,000 kilometres.

What aircraft will Qantas use?

A specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR with an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank, configured for 238 passengers across four cabin classes.

Will there be an economy class?

Yes. Unlike the current record-holding Singapore-New York flight, the Qantas service includes 140 economy seats.

What is the next Project Sunrise route?

Sydney to New York, with the launch date to be confirmed in 2027.

Source: based on reporting by Euronews Travel.