A 22-hour non-stop service that will become the longest direct passenger flight on the planet is scheduled to begin in 2027, and aviation fans are already counting down.
At the moment, the London-to-Sydney journey usually involves at least one connection, with many travellers changing planes in places such as Singapore, Thailand, or the UAE before continuing to Australia.
Qantas, however, is working on ultra-long-haul routes designed to link the UK with Australia without a stop, with flights expected to run for around 22 hours.
A similarly lengthy Sydney-to-New York service is also part of the plan, and is expected to clock in at roughly the same duration.
This week, the airline offered an early glimpse at its ‘Project Sunrise’ concept, highlighting cabin changes intended to make the 22-hour journey feel far less punishing.
The first completed Qantas A350 rolled out of a hangar in France earlier this week. It will now enter a two-month testing phase ahead of its commercial debut in the first half of 2027.
“All major structural components [are] now fitted including the fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear and engines,” Qantas said.
“From next year, these aircraft will carry our customers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York for the first time ever – reducing flying time by up to four hours.”
For comparison, the current record-holder for the longest direct flight is Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-to-New York route, covering 15,300 kilometres in a little over 18 hours.
On the upcoming Qantas services, travellers will reportedly see two sunrises during the journey. The aircraft will carry 238 passengers, a noticeably lower number than the roughly 300 seats the plane could typically accommodate.
That reduced capacity is intentional: Qantas is removing seats to increase personal space and to create ‘wellbeing zones’ positioned between economy and premium cabins.
In first class, passengers can expect a premium setup including an armchair that converts into a bed, plus a private wardrobe for anyone planning outfit changes mid-flight.
Entertainment is also being emphasised, with a 32inch TV intended to help the time pass more easily.
Let’s just not dwell too much on what a premium seat might cost.
Last year, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson indicated that economy tickets could be around 20 percent more expensive than current London-to-Sydney options.
Right now, fares commonly start at about £800 for routes that include a stopover, often in Singapore.
Qantas has not yet confirmed its final pricing approach for either the London or New York non-stop services.