Direct flights from the UK to Australia are one step closer to becoming a reality – as test flights are set to commence.
Qantas’ new Project Sunrise – involving a 22-hour flight from London to Sydney – is even more highly anticipated now that many passengers are keen to avoid layovers in the Gulf amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has been rolled out, now fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
It will begin a two-month flight testing programme in the coming weeks.
The rollout marks the completion of the final assembly phase, with all major structural components now fitted including the fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear and engines.
The flight testing will involve checking the aircraft’s systems, performance and certification of the aircraft’s ULR-specific modifications, including the additional 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank that will make 22-hour Project Sunrise non-stop flights possible.
The second Qantas Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR, which entered production in February, continues to be on the final assembly line.
Qantas has confirmed the Project Sunrise fleet will be named after ‘stars’, which has a strong connection to the airline’s history.
Test flights are ready to begin for Qantas Project Sunrise direct London-Sydney flights
The service is named for the phenomenon where passengers on the London route see two sunrises during their flight.
During the Second World War, Qantas’ Catalina flying boats operated ‘Double Sunrise’ flights, each named after a navigational star used to chart the route across the Indian Ocean.
Each of the 12 A350-1000ULRs will carry star names into the future, a theme originally suggested by Qantas pilots and chosen by thousands of Qantas employees.
The specially configured Project Sunrise A350-1000ULRs will enable the world’s longest commercial flights, connecting Australia’s east coast non-stop to London and New York for the first time, cutting up to four hours off total travel time compared with one-stop services today.
These aircraft will be Qantas’ most premium-dense aircraft with more than 40 per cent of seats in premium cabins.
Qantas continues to see strong demand for point-to-point travel.
The airline’s non-stop Perth to London, Paris and Rome flights, are very popular.
The historic flights are set to begin in 2027, following an extensive test flight programme this year.
Hubs in the Middle East such as Dubai Airport could be avoided as a result
Tthousands are thrilled by the idea of travelling overseas without a layover, even if it means spending 22 hours on a plane.
Every aspect of the cabin has been designed to maximise passenger comfort and wellbeing, specifically for ultra-long-haul travel.
The cabin’s interior has been guided by ‘medical and scientific research carried out on research flights’ in partnership with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.
Passengers will also enjoy complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio connectivity.
Economy seats will offer the most generous seat pitch yet at 33 inches, with a six-way adjustable headrest, two fast USB-C charging outlets and a 13.3-inch entertainment touchscreen.
It comes after ongoing conflict in the Middle East has put a pause on tourism in the region.
Dubai and Doha airports are popular layover destinations for flights heading from London to Sydney – but passengers are keen to avoid stopping in these places.
Dubai Airport has confirmed the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International (DXB) to selected destinations, but it remains at limited capacity.
Meanwhile, Doha Airport’s website explains: ‘Limited number of flights operating from Hamad International Airport starting 18 March 2026.
‘All flights are currently operating through an authorised limited corridor approved by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant authorities, who continue to oversee all decisions regarding airspace operations.
‘These flights do not indicate a resumption of normal operations.
‘The temporary closure of Qatari airspace remains in effect due to the current situation in the region, which is beyond our control.’
But a direct flight avoiding this region could increase the ease of flying to Australia amid the ongoing war.
Source link
CHECK OUT: Top Travel Destinations
READ MORE: Travel News
