Inside the World’s Longest Flight – 22 Hours – Launching Next Year

Qantas Launches World’s Longest Direct Flights in 2027

In 2027, Qantas will introduce the world’s two longest direct commercial flights, connecting Sydney to London and Sydney to New York City. These routes will cover distances of 10,573 miles and 10,100 miles respectively, each taking approximately 22 hours. This development is expected to revolutionize long-haul travel by eliminating the need for refueling stops, cutting four hours off current journeys.

The innovation is made possible through the use of the Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) aircraft. Qantas ordered a dozen of these specially designed planes in 2022. The A350-1000ULR features an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines, enabling it to cover such vast distances.

These new flights have been affectionately named “Project Sunrise” by aviation enthusiasts. The name reflects the unique experience of passengers witnessing two sunrises during a single flight. You take off at night, watching the first sunrise over Asia or the Middle East, and then see it rise again near Europe or North America as you continue westward.

The iconic Sydney to London flight, QF1, was once known as the Kangaroo Route in the 1940s. It originally took four to five days with seven stops, including Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Tripoli, and Rome. The aircraft used were Lockheed Constellations, which offered a flying experience akin to being stuck in a rattling tin can, with overnight stays arranged in Singapore and Cairo.

Today, the new Airbus A350-1000ULR promises to be the most comfortable commercial aircraft. It will carry 238 passengers across six first-class suites, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. This configuration allows for more space than other A350-1000 operators. All cabins will feature high-speed Wi-Fi at no extra cost.

Qantas has invited journalists to experience a mock-up of the on-board wellness suite, offering a glimpse into the future of long-haul travel. Passengers will also have access to a “wellness zone” designed to promote health and comfort during the 22-hour journey. This area includes premium self-serve healthy refreshments, large monitors displaying stretching programs, and walls equipped with handles for exercises.

Designer David Caon, who has worked on the project since 2018, emphasized the importance of balancing aesthetics with practical considerations. He noted that the team focused on aircraft weight, maintainability, safety, and comfort while making aesthetic decisions.

To enhance sleep quality, Qantas collaborated with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to develop strategies for reducing jet lag. These include custom lighting that mimics the “unique quality of light in the Australian Outback” and timed meal services aligned with circadian rhythms.

As the world’s oldest continually operating airline, founded in 1920, Qantas has a rich history of aviation firsts. It pioneered the concept of business class in 1979 and was the first to operate an all-Boeing 747 fleet. The new Airbus A350-1000ULRs are scheduled for delivery by the end of this year.

Pilots and crew will conduct trial flights between Australia and New Zealand with passengers to familiarize themselves with the aircraft. The first ultra-long-haul flights are set to begin in early 2027.

In 1920, traveling from the UK to Australia by sea took weeks. A century later, hundreds of passengers will be able to fly to the other side of the planet in less than a day. For aviation enthusiasts like myself, this is the most thrilling launch since Concorde.