From October 2027, flying from the UK to Australia is set to change forever. Qantas will launch the world’s longest non‑stop commercial flight between London and Sydney, made possible by a new generation of purpose‑built aircraft designed specifically for ultra‑long‑haul travel.
This isn’t just another route launch. It marks the end of the traditional “Kangaroo Route” as we know it, removing the final stopover and creating a direct link between two cities separated by more than 10,000 miles.
The Aircraft Making It Possible
At the heart of this milestone is the Airbus A350‑1000ULR, a bespoke ultra‑long‑range aircraft developed specifically for Qantas under its “Project Sunrise” programme.
Unlike standard wide‑body jets, this variant has been heavily modified to stretch the limits of commercial aviation. The most significant change is the addition of an extra 20,000‑litre fuel tank, allowing the aircraft to travel further than any passenger plane currently in service.
The result is an aircraft capable of flying for up to 22 hours and covering more than 16,000 kilometres without stopping.
Qantas has ordered 12 of these aircraft, each configured with just 238 seats. That is a deliberately low passenger count, designed to maximise range and prioritise comfort on what will be the longest flights in the world.
London to Sydney: A World First
The flagship route will connect London Heathrow directly with Sydney, eliminating the need for the traditional stop in Singapore or the Middle East. Flight times are expected to range between 19 and 22 hours, depending on weather and routing.
For travellers, that means arriving faster overall, despite the longer time spent on the aircraft itself. Qantas estimates the non‑stop service will cut up to four hours off current one‑stop journeys.
It is also a historic milestone. When Qantas first operated the Kangaroo Route back in 1947, the journey from Sydney to London took four days and required seven stops along the way.
By 2027, that same trip will be completed in a single flight.
Find flights from Sydney to London.
Designed Around Passenger Comfort
Flying for nearly a full day presents obvious challenges, so Qantas has taken a different approach to cabin design.
More than 40% of the seats on board will be allocated to premium cabins, including First, Business and Premium Economy, reflecting the demand for comfort on such long journeys.
The aircraft will also include a dedicated “Wellbeing Zone”, allowing passengers to stretch, move around and stay hydrated during the flight.
Other features have been designed with long‑haul health in mind, including:
- Lighting systems that mimic natural daylight cycles to reduce jet lag
- Improved cabin pressure and humidity
- Ergonomic seating throughout all cabins
All of this is aimed at making a 20‑hour flight not just bearable, but genuinely comfortable.
WATCH: Project Sunrise Cabin Reveal
A350 First Class
A350 Business Class
A350 Premium Economy
A350 Economy
Why This Matters for Travellers
For UK travellers, this new route opens up a fundamentally different way to reach Australia.
No more rushing through connecting airports. No worrying about missed connections or lost luggage. Just one boarding pass, one flight, and you land in Sydney.
For business travellers in particular, the time savings could be significant. For leisure travellers, it’s about convenience and simplicity.
That said, the experience will not suit everyone. Spending close to a full day on a single flight is a very different proposition to breaking the journey with a stopover. Airlines are betting that enough travellers will value time over comfort breaks to make these routes viable.
The Future of Ultra‑Long‑Haul Flying
The London to Sydney service is only the beginning. Qantas has already confirmed that Sydney to New York will follow as another non‑stop route using the same aircraft.
These flights push the boundaries of what is technically and commercially possible in aviation.
For decades, distance dictated how we travelled. Stopovers were a necessity, not a choice. Project Sunrise changes that entirely, proving that even the longest routes on earth can now be flown non‑stop.
Qantas’ new Airbus A350‑1000ULR represents one of the most significant developments in modern aviation.
From October 2027, travellers will be able to fly from the UK to Sydney in a single journey for the first time in history. It’s a bold step, both technologically and commercially, and one that could reshape long‑haul travel for good.
For passengers, the choice will soon be simple: break up the journey, or fly further than ever before in one go.
If you are looking for the latest hotel prices in Sydney, book your stay with Timms Travel.