Qantas has unveiled the first images of its ultra long-range Airbus A350-1000, the aircraft that will make history by flying passengers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York from 2027 — cutting up to four hours off total journey times.
The A350-1000ULR, part of Qantas’s ambitious Project Sunrise, is currently on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France, with its fuselage, wings, and landing gear now fully attached. The aircraft will soon move to a separate hangar where its Rolls-Royce engines and avionics systems will be installed ahead of test flights in 2026.
The airline has ordered 12 of the aircraft, specially configured to handle ultra long-haul routes of more than 20 hours. Each plane will feature luxury cabins designed for comfort and rest, including space for stretching and wellbeing.
Releasing the new images during Qantas’s annual general meeting in Brisbane, chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the aircraft would mark a step change for international aviation.
“This is an aircraft that will change what’s possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel,” Hudson told shareholders. “Our teams are incredibly excited for the arrival of the first aircraft late next year — a landmark moment for Qantas and the industry.”
Qantas already operates non-stop Perth–London flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, launched in 2018, but Project Sunrise will extend this capability to connect Australia’s east coast directly to Europe and North America for the first time.
Qantas also used the AGM to update investors on its financial outlook, forecasting 3% growth in domestic revenue for the first half of 2026 — at the lower end of earlier guidance. While leisure travel demand remains strong, corporate travel outside Australia’s resource sector has been weaker than expected.
International revenue forecasts remain unchanged at 2–3% growth, while the company’s Qantas Loyalty programme continues to perform strongly.
To enhance its domestic offering, Qantas also announced plans to introduce “Economy Plus”, a new cabin product on short-haul and domestic routes, featuring extra legroom, priority boarding, and dedicated overhead storage space. The product will be available from February 2026, with complimentary access for top-tier frequent flyers.
The arrival of the A350-1000ULR fleet next year is set to redefine long-haul aviation, positioning Qantas as a leader in endurance air travel.
With the first aircraft due for delivery in late 2026 and commercial services beginning the following year, Qantas is betting that the combination of comfort, time savings, and advanced sustainability measures will make ultra long-range travel a new standard in global aviation.
“Project Sunrise is more than a flight — it’s a symbol of how far Australian aviation can go,” Hudson said.