Qantas Delays Sydney-London Flights to October 2027

Qantas has once again delayed its planned non-stop service between Sydney and London. According to The Guardian, the airline now expects these flights to commence in October 2027. This delay is attributed to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification issues, as well as delays in the delivery of new Airbus A350-1000ULR planes designed specifically for ultra-long-haul flights.

The original Project Sunrise was announced by Qantas in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed back the airline's predicted 2022 launch, and since then, the service has faced repeated delays. In November 2025, Qantas stated that the service would start in the first half of 2027, with Airbus set to deliver the first specially configured A350-1000ULR by late 2026.

However, as reported by The Guardian, Airbus recently revealed that the first aircraft would be delivered in April 2027. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson emphasized the airline's commitment to connecting Australia’s east coast directly to London. The non-stop flights are expected to be four hours shorter than typical one-stop flights, offering a significant time-saving benefit for passengers.

The Airbus A350-1000ULR is designed to fly 16,000km over 22 hours non-stop, utilizing an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank. Qantas is purchasing twelve of these aircraft, each seating 238 passengers. The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London tickets could go on sale in February 2027.

Qantas also plans a non-stop route from Sydney to New York and will reveal the launch date for this service sometime in 2027. Despite these delays, Qantas remains committed to its Project Sunrise initiative, aiming to revolutionize long-haul travel and connect Australia more directly with key international destinations.

Qantas Airways is betting that science can make the world's longest flights feel less punishing by unveiling plans for a 'wellness zone,' extra legroom, specially timed meals, and animated lighting on its non-stop Sydney-London services due to launch next October. The Australian carrier has studied every detail of the flights since the project was launched nearly a decade ago, from nutrition to ergonomics, movement, and above all light - a vital cue for the body clock.

By optimizing meal times and creating a 'protective sleep window' with the help of lighting, passengers showed better alertness during tests than with a traditional service. Cabin designer David Caon approached the design as much as an aesthetic task. A dedicated wellness zone will be bathed in diffused, shimmering light.

Elsewhere in the cabin, custom mood lighting will simulate sunrise or sunset, moving from front to back. All of this aims to reduce the discomfort of flights that could be as long as 22 hours on such specially modified jets. The sense of space also has a business aim: to turn Australia's remote position into a travel experience that other airlines cannot easily match and generate 20% more revenue.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the expected premium over one-stop flights was based on results seen between Perth and Europe. Most analysts say the performance of its 17-hour Perth-London flights bodes well for the Project Sunrise business case.