Qantas to Launch Nonstop Sydney Flights to New York and London

Qantas Airways will launch nonstop commercial flights between Sydney and New York by mid-2028 as part of its Project Sunrise initiative. The 18-hour service will follow the launch of a direct flight between Sydney and London in October 2027, which will become the world's longest commercial passenger service at 22 hours.

The airline will deploy 12 specially configured A350-1000ULR jets equipped with additional 20,000-litre fuel tanks. These aircraft feature 238 seats across four cabins, with premium seating making up 40 percent of the capacity. To combat the effects of ultra-long-haul travel, Qantas incorporated sleep science into the cabin design, including adjusted lighting and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for passenger movement.

Tickets for the London route go on sale in February 2027, while New York tickets will be available in August 2027. CEO Vanessa Hudson stated that the airline is considering a 20 percent price premium over current one-stop services to meet demand. While Sydney serves as the initial hub, Hudson confirmed that Melbourne remains a priority for future Project Sunrise operations.