As aviation continues to evolve, the industry is steadily pushing the boundaries of how far commercial aircraft can fly. Advances in fuel efficiency, lightweight materials, and long-range engine performance are enabling airlines to connect city pairs that once required refueling stops or were not commercially viable. What used to be considered record-breaking test flights are now becoming realistic scheduled services, driven by both passenger demand and the competitive value of offering the most direct, time-saving journeys.

Qantas is approaching this challenge from a unique position. Australia’s geographic isolation, which places the country thousands of miles from many major global population centers, has created a long-standing need for aircraft with extended-range capability. The airline often notes its history of overcoming this distance barrier. Earlier versions of the Kangaroo Route required multiple stops across Asia and the Middle East, and even modern long-haul routes have pushed the limits of existing aircraft.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise represents the next major step forward. By making it possible to fly nonstop from Australia’s east coast to cities such as New York and London, Qantas aims to transform the way passengers experience long-distance travel. The project is focused on more than just aircraft endurance. It is designed to improve convenience and elevate the travel experience on these ultra-long flights.

What Is Project Sunrise?

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Project Sunrise is Qantas’ groundbreaking plan to launch nonstop flights from Australia to London and New York. The initiative was first announced in 2017, when Qantas invited Boeing and Airbus to propose an aircraft capable of operating these ultra-long-haul missions. The airline ultimately selected Airbus, placing an order in 2022 for 12 specially configured A350-1000s, along with 20 A220s and 20 A321XLRs.

According to Qantas, the planned nonstop routes will reduce total travel times by up to four hours compared with the fastest one-stop itineraries available today. Currently, Qantas serves London via Singapore on the Airbus A380, and it connects Australia to New York through Auckland on the Boeing 787. Eliminating the stop entirely will streamline the experience and give Qantas a strong advantage in premium markets where time savings are highly valued.

Qantas is scheduled to take delivery of its first A350-1000ULR in October 2026, with passenger service expected to begin in the first half of 2027. In the months leading up to launch, Qantas crews will undergo specialized training for ultra-long missions.

What’s The Latest?

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The most recent update on the production of the first A350-1000ULR came earlier this month, when Qantas and Airbus announced that the aircraft had entered the assembly line in Toulouse, Airbus’ primary factory and operational hub.

Photos released by the companies show that all major airframe components are now joined, including the center and rear fuselage sections, wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. Although the aircraft is beginning to resemble its final form, several key stages remain.

According to a statement from Qantas, the aircraft will soon be moved into a newly built hangar where the engines, flight-test instrumentation, and other essential systems will be fitted. This phase will pave the way for ground evaluations and eventual flight testing, bringing the aircraft one step closer to its 2026 delivery target.

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The Ultra-Long-Range A350s

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Airbus has also developed an ultra-long-range version of the A350’s smaller variant. The A350-900ULR does not differ dramatically from the standard A350-900, but it is optimized for long-range missions. Singapore Airlines is currently the only operator, using the aircraft on its Singapore-New York services to both New York JFK Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The -900ULR achieves its extended range through increased fuel capacity, made possible by relocating sensors in the fuel system. Interestingly, the 24,000 liters (6,340 gallons) of increased fuel capacity is accomplished without the need for any additional fuel tanks. The forward cargo hold is deactivated because it cannot support the weight of extra freight when the aircraft is carrying the fuel load required for these flights.

Given that there are no material differences, Airbus states that the A350-900ULR can easily be reconfigured as a standard -900. Overall, the A350-900ULR offers roughly 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 kilometers) more range than the standard A350-900 and can fly for up to 20 hours nonstop.

So how does the -1000ULR differ from the standard A350-1000? The main change is increased fuel capacity. The -1000ULR includes an additional rear center tank that adds roughly 20,000 liters (5,283 gallons) of fuel. The aircraft also features several weight-saving improvements and aerodynamic refinements. As shown in the table above, even though the -900ULR and -1000ULR share the same published range, the -1000ULR can remain airborne for up to two hours longer.

Qantas Thinks Passengers Are Ready For 20+ Hours In Economy

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The A350-900ULR operated by Singapore Airlines only has two classes of service: premium economy and business. Qantas, however, plans to outfit its -1000ULR with economy, premium economy, business class, and first class. In 2019, Qantas began researching the passenger experience on flights of this length. Three test flights carrying a limited number of participants operated from New York to Sydney aboard a Boeing 787-9, which was capable of completing the journey with a reduced payload.

According to Qantas, the goal of the study was to evaluate strategies to reduce jet lag and support inflight health. Passengers were equipped with wearable devices to track movement, sleep, and light exposure. Meals were served at specific times to encourage body-clock alignment with the destination. Coordinated activities and periods of movement were scheduled throughout the flight. Reaction times were measured mid-flight, and passengers were asked to keep a daily log of their sleep patterns for a week before the trip and two weeks after.

Qantas shared initial findings from the study in 2023, noting that participants reported less severe jet lag, improved inflight sleep quality, and better cognitive performance both during the flight and in the days that followed. The airline also highlighted that controlled lighting, structured sleep and meal schedules, and certain ingredients such as chili and chocolate can help mitigate jet lag during and after long-haul flights.

Qantas’ A350-1000ULR Cabin Design

Credit: Qantas

Qantas has incorporated these findings into the cabin design of its new aircraft, most notably through the introduction of the Wellbeing Zone. This area, located between the economy and premium economy cabins, will give passengers space to follow guided movement routines displayed on monitors and choose from a selection of refreshments. The zone also includes sculpted surfaces designed to support stretching.

Beyond this dedicated space, the economy cabin itself features several upgrades, including the most generous legroom offered across the entire Qantas fleet. The A350-1000ULR will provide 33 inches (84 cm) of pitch in economy, compared with 32 inches (81 cm) on the A380 and 787, and 31 inches (79 cm) on the A330.

A recent article published by Forbes argues that many of these features amount to little more than gimmicks. It notes that Qantas is attempting to shift the narrative from an extremely long flight to a new form of adventure, exclusive, and wellness-focused travel.

The article explains, “Qantas changes what could be perceived as an endurance test into a status symbol. The message shifts from ‘Can you survive 22 hours?’ to ‘Are you special enough to merit one of these rare seats?'”

When referring to the Wellbeing Zone, they add, “This approach leverages what psychologists call cognitive schemas or mental models. Most travelers have a fixed mental model of what air travel means: cramped, uncomfortable, something to endure. By introducing unexpected elements like wellness zones and ‘science-backed design to minimize jetlag,’ Qantas is trying to break this existing cognitive schema and create a new category in travelers’ minds.”

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What Routes Will Project Sunrise Overtake as the World’s Longest Flights?

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When Qantas launches its Project Sunrise flights, the airline is expected to claim the title of longest commercial flight in the world. To put this milestone into context, the table below lists the routes that currently hold the top positions.

Singapore Airlines operates the top two routes using its A350-900ULR fleet. The Auckland–Doha service was previously flown by the A350-1000 and is now operated by the Boeing 777-200LR. Qantas currently flies the Perth-London route with the Boeing 787-9 but plans to transition this service to the A350-1000ULR once deliveries begin.

There are currently no other orders for the A350-1000ULR, so it remains uncertain whether more carriers will introduce additional routes capable of challenging the ultra-long-haul distances of Project Sunrise.

The Bigger Picture

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Project Sunrise is poised to reshape the landscape of long-haul aviation. By surpassing the world’s longest routes and creating nonstop connections between Australia and cities that once required multiple stops, Qantas is redefining what passengers can expect from ultra-long-distance travel. The airline’s investment in advanced aircraft, inflight wellbeing research, and new cabin concepts reflects a broader move toward flights that prioritize both endurance and comfort.

As the first A350-1000ULR approaches delivery, Project Sunrise stands ready to usher in a new era of global connectivity and reinforce Qantas’ position at the forefront of long-range aviation.