Qantas is set to revolutionize air travel with its ambitious Project Sunrise, scheduled to launch in 2026. This groundbreaking initiative will allow passengers to witness two sunrises during their journey, as the airline introduces nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York, covering an extraordinary 19 to 22 hours.
Currently, the record for the world’s longest commercial flight is held by Singapore Airlines, with an 18-hour route from Singapore to New York. However, Qantas aims to surpass this with its ultra-long-haul flights, which promise to save up to four hours of travel time compared to existing options.
The project name reflects the unique experience passengers will have, as they observe two sunrises in a single flight. According to The Metro, Qantas began exploring Project Sunrise in 2017, partnering with Airbus and Boeing to create ultra-long-range aircraft. The airline will utilize specially designed Airbus A350 planes for these routes, ensuring passenger comfort and safety during the extended journey.
Despite challenges faced by the aviation sector, Qantas is determined to redefine long-haul travel. Vanessa Hudson, Qantas CEO, highlighted at a recent event in Los Angeles that the initiative embodies “Australians’ hunger to fly point to point.” She added, “These long flights are a great way for Australians to break out and see the world on the A350.”
As stated on the Qantas website, the Airbus A350s will “overcome the tyranny of distance, with the ability to travel between Australia and almost any city in the world.” The airline assures customers that extensive research has gone into making these flights as safe and comfortable as possible.
The first Project Sunrise flights are expected to take off in 2026, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.