Qantas has unveiled its first custom Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York. The airline has ordered 12 of these specially modified jets, which will feature a wellness zone, lighting systems to ease jet lag, and suites with flat beds and separate armchairs.
Project Sunrise
Qantas’ Project Sunrise aims to reduce travel times and push the limits of commercial aviation. The airline has spent years operating some of the world’s longest routes, including Perth to London and Auckland to New York, and argues that the appeal of nonstop flights is already proven.
The custom Airbus A350-1000ULR has an extra fuel tank and an extended range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles, allowing it to fly routes that were once technically impossible. The aircraft will carry significantly fewer passengers than standard A350s, with 238 seats, leaving more space for those on board.
Launch Date
The inaugural Sydney-to-London service is set to launch in October 2027. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the effort is the latest chapter in a mission dating back more than a century, and that the airline is proud to be pushing the boundaries of commercial aviation.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
