Long-haul flights have become standard in modern travel, with durations of ten to fifteen hours now typical. Qantas is launching Project Sunrise to offer nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York, lasting 19 to 22 hours, which could reduce travel time by up to four hours. Named for the unique experience of witnessing two consecutive sunrises, the project aims to break the current record for the longest commercial flight, held by Singapore Airlines at 18 hours. Despite the appeal of shorter travel times, spending nearly a full day in the air poses challenges for travelers. Qantas has been developing this initiative since 2017 in collaboration with Boeing and Airbus. In light of the numerous obstacles encountered by the aviation sector in recent years, Qantas continues to demonstrate its dedication to advancing the frontiers of air travel. The inaugural flights associated with Project Sunrise are anticipated to commence in 2026, heralding a significant advancement in the annals of aviation.
As reported by Forbes, Vanessa Hudson, who assumed the role of Qantas CEO last autumn, addressed an audience at an event held in a hangar at LAX to commemorate Qantas and the forthcoming non-stop flights under Project Sunrise from Sydney to both London and New York. She articulated that the initiative reflects the “hunger of Australians to fly point to point.” Hudson emphasized that these extended flights represent an excellent opportunity for Australians to explore the world aboard the A350. According to Qantas, their fleet of specially designed Airbus A350s is engineered to mitigate the challenges posed by distance, enabling travel from Australia to nearly any global destination. Qantas is committed to ensuring that the research and design of these flights prioritize passenger comfort and safety.
