Qantas To Open Ticket Sales For Non-Stop London Route In February 2027

Qantas has confirmed that its Project Sunrise programme will launch direct flights between Sydney and London, with services expected to begin in October 2027 and tickets to go on sale in February 2027.

The airline’s chief executive, Vanessa Hudson, announced the first destination for the ultra-long-haul service at an event in Toulouse, France. The route will be operated using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, which are designed for flights of up to 22 hours and will carry 238 passengers.

The Sydney–London service forms part of Qantas’ broader plan to introduce non-stop flights connecting Australia’s east coast with major international destinations, including New York at a later stage. The aircraft are configured with fewer seats than standard A350-1000 models to accommodate additional fuel capacity and extended range requirements.

According to Qantas, tickets for the new service will go on sale in February 2027 ahead of the first scheduled flights later that year. The airline has not yet released full fare details, though industry reporting indicates the new direct services will carry a price premium of approximately 20 per cent compared with existing one-stop alternatives.

The Project Sunrise aircraft are being developed in partnership with Airbus and include modifications such as additional fuel capacity and cabin design changes intended for ultra-long-haul travel. The aircraft are also expected to feature specialised cabin layouts and onboard areas designed for passenger movement during the extended flight time.

The programme has been in development since 2017, with Qantas initially ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to support the new routes. Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2027, with additional aircraft arriving progressively over subsequent years.

The Sydney–London route will reduce total travel time compared with current options that require stopovers in locations such as Singapore or the Middle East. Qantas has described the service as part of efforts to reduce travel times between Australia and Europe and North America.

The airline has stated that further routes, including Sydney–New York, are planned following the introduction of the London service, subject to aircraft availability and operational readiness.