Qantas to launch ‘historic’ non-stop London-Sydney flights in 2027

Qantas will launch non-stop services between Sydney and London from October 2027 – the first time the Kangaroo Route has ever been flown without stops from Australia’s east coast.

 

The announcement came as the Australian national carrier unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in Qantas livery at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse, as part of ‘Project Sunrise’.

 

Qantas has been flying between Sydney and London since 1947, when the original Kangaroo Route took four days with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome, on its way to the UK.

 

The new 22-hour flights will cut up to four hours off the travel time compared to current one-stop services.

 

These ultra-long-haul services will operate alongside Qantas’ existing Perth-London and Sydney-Singapore-London services.

 

The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London services will go on sale in February 2027.

 

More: Qantas poised to confirm first non-stop Project Sunrise Sydney service

 

The A350-1000ULR aircraft have an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables them to fly more than 16,000 kilometres (almost 10,000 miles).

 

The aircraft will be configured with just 238 seats, the lowest capacity of any A350 around the world.

 

There will be six suites in first class, 52 in business class, 40 in premium economy and 140 in economy, including 42 economy plus seats.

 

More than 70% of seats on the aircraft will offer a pitch of 33 inches or more, the most generous of any aircraftin the fleet.

 

Qantas will take delivery of 12 aircraft in total.

 

Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group chief executive, said it marks a “new dawn of travel”.

 

“Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we’re taking out the last one,” she said.

 

“We made a commitment in 2017 that Qantas would conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation and connect Australia’s east coast directly to London. From October 2027, that promise becomes reality.”

 

UK tourism minister Stephanie Peacock said: “This is a historic moment, not just for British aviation and tourism, but for the millions of passengers who will experience flying from Sydney to London non-stop for the first time.

 

“Qantas’ decision to make London the first destination for Project Sunrise is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for global tourism, and a reflection of the deep ties between our two countries.”

 

Australian trade and tourism minister Senator Don Farrell said: “This is a significant milestone for aviation and tourism in both Australia and the UK.

 

“The new direct route launched by Qantas will help bring more people to our shores to experience the best we have to offer.”

 

Hudson added: “Eliminating the stopover saves customers up to four hours of travel time. This aircraft has been designed from the ground up for ultra-long-haul travel, with a cabin built around science and combatting jetlag, with an onboard experience purpose-built for the length of the journey.”

 

Tom Kendall, senior product manager for Australia at Audley Travel, said: “The direct flight to Perth is incredibly popular with our clients, as they find it is easier to manage jet lag thanks to the way mealtimes and lighting are planned and also appreciate the smoother travel experience.

 

“I’m confident that the opportunity to travel to Sydney without a stop-over will be just as popular.

 

“It is also great news for clients who are keen to travel to Australia’s east coast but are constrained by the time they have available for their trip, as the faster journey opens up the area for trips of shorter durations.

 

“It also makes multi-destination Australasia trips that take in New Zealand and/or French Polynesia logistically simpler for those clients who have a limit to the amount of time they can be away.”