It was first announced for 2025. Then for the end of 2026. We are now talking, at a minimum, about the end of the first half of 2027 for the famous Qantas' "Sunrise" project, which will allow the Australian company to offer non-stop flights between Sydney and London, as well as between Sydney and New York. The flight duration is expected to be between 20 and 22 hours, depending on the direction of the flight, to both London and New York. This is a reduction of four hours compared to a flight with a stopover.
As an example of TGV M on the SNCF and Alstom sideThe project is now several months behind schedule due to production difficulties encountered by the manufacturer Airbus. The latter has specifically created a version of its Airbus A350. The A350-1000ULR, for which Qantas has just confirmed an order for 12 aircraft, has indeed been reconfigured for this type of ultra-long-haul flight. The aircraft will for this purpose have an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank, a reinforced maximum take-off weight, and a cabin redesigned around passenger comfort.
The airline is focusing particularly on premium and corporate clients. Future aircraft will include First suites, a modernised Business cabin, a more spacious Premium Economy, and a "Wellbeing Zone" accessible to all passengers to encourage movement during the flight. The lighting systems have also been designed to minimise the effects of jet lag.
However, Airbus continues to face persistent supply chain tensions, particularly concerning certain engine components and cabin equipment. The European manufacturer has also had to modify the design of the additional fuel tank needed to achieve the required range. This is all the more true as Qantas will have to choose slightly longer flight paths to avoid flying over Russia, or even certain regions of the Middle East.
When questioned by British media, a company spokesperson said: " Even though the delivery of the first aircraft has been pushed back to April 2027, the following four will arrive quickly afterwards, enabling us to return to our original schedule by November. We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will allow us to launch these historic ultra-long-haul flights.".
Qantas will announce a new launch date, as well as the first chosen destination – London or New York – at an event held at Airbus's headquarters in Toulouse in June. Sunrise remains one of the most ambitious aviation programmes of the 21st century.e century. And it should definitely change the art of travelling to the antipodes of the planet.
