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Qantas’ Non-Stop Flights Delayed Again
If you were anticipating the non-stop flight between London and Sydney in 2027, you’ll have to wait a little longer.
The first of the 12 specially adapted Ultra Long Range Airbus A350-1000 aircraft will now be delivered in April 2027, pushing back the launch of Project Sunrise flights. This also means the Sydney-to-New York route will be delayed.
It’s disappointing to hear of further delays to the routes, which have been among the most talked-about in aviation since their announcement in 2022. Once launched, the London-Sydney service is expected to reduce journey times by around four hours compared with current one-stop options.
The Ultra Long Range A350s will have just 238 seats across four cabins, with more than 40% of the aircraft dedicated to premium seating. There will be new First and Business Class suites, alongside dedicated wellbeing areas designed to make flights of up to 22 hours more comfortable.
The delay is understood to be linked to ongoing supply chain issues affecting Airbus. The first A350-1000ULR is about to undergo a flight test programme focused on the modified fuel system.
Deliveries will follow quickly after the first arrival, so Project Sunrise is expected to return to schedule by November 2027. Pilot training is already well underway in Sydney, and the first route and timing of the inaugural flights will be announced later this month.
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1 comment
Regarding Qantas’ Project Sunrise flights, there is hope that they will still launch as planned next year despite the delayed delivery of the first A350.
Qantas need a minimum of two (but ideally three) A350’s to launch their first route to either London or New York from Sydney and Qantas expected to have three aircraft by JUL 27. The original plan was to take delivery of the first A350 later this year and let her stretch her legs flying back and forwards over ‘the ditch’ as us antipodeans call it (or for anyone else the Tasman sea between Australia and NZ). This would have given crew the chance to play with their new toy before she’s let loose on the ULH routes.
Despite the delay to A350 #1, number 2 and number 3 are still at the moment expected to be delivered in JUN and JUL which should keep the launch date for ultra long haul flying on track.