Project Sunrise
Coverage of Project Sunrise in the Nexus archive.
- Airbus completes record 24-hour flight with plane to be used by Qantas
Airbus completed a 24-hour test flight of a modified A350-1000ULR plane from Australia to France, marking a milestone ahead of Qantas's planned ultra-long-haul services. The flight, part of Qantas's 'Project Sunrise,' aims to enable non-stop flights between Australia and destinations in the U.S. and Europe starting in 2027.
- Qantas tests new ultra long-range Airbus in 17,000km direct flight from France to Melbourne
Qantas tested its new ultra long-range Airbus A350–1000ULR on a 17,000km direct flight from France to Melbourne, part of its Project Sunrise initiative. The 19-hour test flight departed from Toulouse, France, and arrived in Melbourne.
- See the 10 longest airline routes in the world, ranked by distance
Qantas will launch the world's longest flight from Sydney to London in October 2027, surpassing Singapore Airlines' current 19-hour routes to New York and New Jersey. The new 22-hour flight, part of 'Project Sunrise,' uses a modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft with an extended range.
- Inside the specially-modified Airbus jet built for the world's longest flights
Qantas unveiled a specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR for 'Project Sunrise' to enable 22-hour nonstop flights between Sydney and London. The aircraft features luxury cabins, a wellness zone, and advanced fuel systems, with flights expected to start in 2027. Delays due to supply chain issues and engine defects pushed the project five years behind schedule.
- Australia news live: Non-stop Sydney-London flights delayed again; anti-abortion bill blocked in SA
Qantas has delayed the first non-stop Sydney-London Project Sunrise flight to November 2027. An anti-abortion bill aiming to re-criminalise abortion passed South Australia's upper house but failed in the lower house.