Qantas Project Sunrise Heathrow Launch Set for October 2027 on A350-1000ULR

Qantas has formally confirmed London Heathrow as the launch hub for its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul operations, with nonstop Sydney–London service set to begin in October 2027. The airline announced tickets will go on sale in February 2027, marking a significant milestone in a network strategy first initiated in 2017 to connect Australia's east coast directly to major global hubs.

To support the new routes, Qantas will deploy 12 specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft variants equipped with a rear-centre fuel tank that extends range to approximately 10,000 nautical miles, enabling block times of 19 to 21 hours. The first aircraft, named "Vega," is expected for delivery in April 2027. Each jet will feature a low-density, four-class layout with 238 seats — including six first-class suites and 52 business-class suites — and a dedicated "Wellbeing Zone" where passengers can stretch and move during the flight to offset the physiological demands of ultra-long-haul travel. Qantas expects to price premium cabin fares approximately 20% above comparable one-stop alternatives.

Operational Logistics at Heathrow

London Heathrow (EGLL) will serve as the primary European gateway, presenting complex slot management and crew duty-time challenges inherent to sectors of this length. The program weathered significant delays during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming momentum, and the confirmed Heathrow launch represents the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, aircraft development collaboration with Airbus, and route-proving research by the carrier.