Qantas Sets 2027 Launch for World's Longest Commercial Flights, and More
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Qantas Pushes Project Sunrise Launch to 2027 Amid Aircraft Delivery Timeline
Qantas has announced that its ambitious Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights will commence in early 2027, following the delivery of the first specialized Airbus A350-1000 aircraft by the end of 2026.
CEO Vanessa Hudson confirmed this timeline on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, marking another delay for the project that aims to connect Australia directly with major global cities through non-stop flights spanning 20+ hours.
Key Points
- Previous launch dates of 2025 and 2026 were postponed due to aircraft construction delays and regulatory requirements
- Qantas requires three A350-1000 aircraft to operate daily service between Sydney and London or New York
- The specially configured aircraft will carry only 238 passengers across four cabin classes, featuring six first-class suites
- Initial flights will operate on the short Sydney-Auckland route to train crews before expanding to ultra-long-haul destinations
- Each A350-1000 will feature a dedicated wellness zone for passenger movement during the 20+ hour flights
- Economy seats will offer 33-inch pitch, exceeding the industry standard of 30-32 inches
What It Means
This further delay of Project Sunrise represents both supply chain realities and Qantas' commitment to methodically implementing this service despite setbacks.
When launched, these flights will significantly transform international travel from Australia, eliminating stopovers on key routes and potentially setting new standards for passenger comfort on extremely long journeys.
