Qantas is launching the world's longest nonstop flight
The Australian airline Qantas is preparing to launch a nonstop flight that will set a new record for duration, lasting more than 20 hours.
While flights from London to Australia previously required a mandatory stop for refueling, the new route could change that practice. First-class passengers are promised enhanced comfort, including reclining seats and private sleeping pods.
It is reported that in 2027, the first test flight of the new Qantas A350-1000ULR aircraft is set to make a nonstop journey with the primary goal of completing the route in the shortest possible time. For seasoned travelers, this may seem like a long-held dream come true, while others will likely prefer traditional connecting flights that allow them to get off the plane, stretch their legs, and rest.
The launch of the new route has already generated significant interest among passengers: it involves approximately 22 hours of continuous flight time, according to the Mirror.
The new direct routes are set to connect Sydney with London and New York, surpassing the current record for the longest commercial flight—18 hours and 30 minutes—which operates between Newark Airport in the U.S. and Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Such flights will be made possible by a specially modified aircraft equipped with an additional central fuel tank with a capacity of 20,000 liters, the article states.
The first of these aircraft is currently in Toulouse, France, where engines have been installed and final ground tests are underway ahead of the first test flight.
First-class passengers are promised reclining seats and a separate sleeping area. Qantas states that the interior was created using “science-backed design to reduce jet lag and improve well-being.”
The aircraft’s total capacity will be 238 seats—fewer than standard long-haul jets, which typically carry over 300 passengers. The freed-up space allowed for the creation of a special “wellness zone,” accessible to Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers during long-haul flights.
In total, there will be 6 first-class seats, 52 business-class seats, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy-class seats.
The new ultra-long-haul service has been named Project Sunrise. The name references the historic “double sunrises” witnessed by passengers on early Qantas flights between Western Australia and the former British airbase in Coggala (now Sri Lanka).
During World War II, aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing were tasked with building planes with a longer range to serve such routes.
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