Project Sunrise: Qantas reveals first Sydney-London non-stop flights start in October 2027

Qantas has confirmed that its first non-stop Project Sunrise service from Sydney to London will begin in October 2027, setting a start date for one of aviation's most closely watched ultra-long-haul routes.

Tickets for the service are due to go on sale in February 2027, giving the airline roughly eight months between sales opening and the first flights. Qantas also said a non-stop Sydney-New York service is expected to follow later in 2027.

The announcement gives Project Sunrise a clearer timetable after years of delays and repeated changes to the planned launch window. Qantas has long pitched the program as a way to link Australia's east coast directly with major global hubs without a stopover.

What Qantas confirmed

The airline said the Sydney-London route will be flown by Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. Coverage of the announcement said the aircraft will have 238 seats and a 20,000-litre fuel tank designed for the long sector.

The flight is expected to take about 21 to 22 hours. Qantas said the nonstop service should save passengers up to four hours compared with current one-stop options.

Why it matters

Project Sunrise has become a major strategic test for Qantas' international network and brand. The route would be among the world's longest nonstop commercial flights and is aimed at premium long-haul travelers who value time savings over stopovers.

The timing also matters for fleet planning and ticket sales. The first aircraft delivery is currently expected in April 2027, according to coverage of the project, leaving a tight runway before the planned launch.

The long road to launch

Project Sunrise has been discussed for years and was originally expected to arrive sooner, before repeated delays pushed the program back. Recent reporting had pointed to Airbus supply-chain and certification issues affecting delivery timing.

Qantas' announcement in Toulouse this week brought the plan closer to reality and added a firmer sequence to the rollout: aircraft delivery in 2027, ticket sales in February 2027, and the first Sydney-London flights in October 2027.

What happens next

The next milestones to watch are the February 2027 sales launch, the April 2027 aircraft delivery, and any further updates on the Sydney-New York route. Qantas has not yet disclosed full fare pricing for the Sydney-London service or named the exact day in October when the first flight will depart.