Project Sunrise (Qantas)
Ultra long-haul project by Qantas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Project Sunrise is an initiative by Qantas to operate the world's first non-stop commercial flights from Australia's east coast to London, New York, and potentially other ultra-long-haul destinations.
_(55483824952).jpg)
The project was launched in 2017 when Qantas challenged Boeing and Airbus to develop aircraft with the necessary range and performance. The company conducted research into crew and passenger fatigue, and tested approaches for minimising jetlag on extremely long flights. The first of twelve Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft ordered by Qantas for the project conducted test flights between Airbus's Toulouse headquarters and Melbourne in July 2026, setting a distance record for a commercial airliner. Qantas plans to start passenger service between Sydney and London in October 2027.
Background
The first commercial passenger flights between Australia and the UK started in 1935, taking 121⁄2 days to complete the journey, with 39 'hops' operated by three airlines. In 1947, Qantas started operating the entire route, dubbed the Kangaroo Route. The duration and the number of stops have reduced over time, as airliner performance and range have increased.
In 2017, Qantas initiated a project to offer non-stop flights to London and other ultra-long-haul destinations from Australia's east coast.[1][2] The name "Project Sunrise" was adopted as a homage to the Double Sunrise services operated by Qantas in 1943–1945 between Perth and Sri Lanka, which experienced two sunrises during the 27 to 32-hour flights.[3]
Development of the project
Initial announcement
- August 2017: Qantas announced Project Sunrise, aiming to fly ultra-long-haul non-stop flights from the east coast of Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) to New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro, and challenged Boeing and Airbus to develop aircraft with sufficient range.[4]
- 2019: Proposals were submitted by both airframers: ultra-long-range variants of the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X.[5]
- August 2019: Boeing announced delays in the 777-8 project after Etihad Airways dropped orders made in 2013, but the company made it clear that it remained in contention for Project Sunrise.[6]
- October 2019: Qantas narrowed its intended destinations from Sydney on Project Sunrise to London and New York.[citation needed]
- October 2019 – November 2019: Qantas made two test flights using a Boeing 787-9, one from New York to Sydney,[7] and one from London to Sydney, both lasting around 19 hours.[8] These test flights gathered data on crew and passenger fatigue, including activity monitoring, sleep diaries, cognitive testing and monitoring of melatonin levels.[9]
- December 2019: Qantas announced that its preferred aircraft for the project was the Airbus A350-1000, which would receive an additional fuel tank and slightly increased MTOW to deliver the performance required on the Project Sunrise routes. Qantas stated that it was working with Airbus to order up to 12 aircraft, with the final decision expected in 2020.[10]
Ordering of the aircraft
- May 2022: after the project was put on hold for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[11] Qantas placed a formal order for 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with the aim of commencing service in late 2025.[12][13] The 238 seats would be split into six first class suites (three-abreast), 52 business class suites (four-abreast), 40 premium economy seats at 40″ pitch (eight-abreast) and 140 economy class seats at 33″ pitch (nine-abreast).[14] Qantas expects these ultra-long-haul flights to drive an annual earnings increase of A$400 million (US$261 million) in the first full year with all 12 aircraft in service.[15]
- February 2024: Qantas announced that due to manufacturing delays (which were blamed on a regulator-required fuel tank redesign),[16] delivery of the A350-1000 aircraft would be delayed.[17][18]
- June 2024: The third centre fuel tank was certified and deliveries were then expected in late 2026 ahead of commercial operations starting in the first half of 2027.[19][20]
Cabin reveal
- June 2026: Qantas announced more details regarding its development of Project Sunrise. News publications revealed features such as a "wellness zone" that would be available for passengers onboard as a "stretch and movement space". Factors such as meal timings and light exposure will be adjusted in order to mitigate jetlag. Additionally, "fast and free" Wi-Fi onboard was promised.[21][22]
Delivery and further testing
- June 2026: Qantas announced delivery of the first A350-1000ULR aircraft for Project Sunrise. Direct flights between London and Sydney are scheduled to begin in October 2027.[23] Most flights will be routed via the Middle East, but during the northern winter around 20% of flights to London will instead head north across the Pacific and over the North Pole to take advantage of the jet stream.[24]
- July 2026: Qantas and Airbus conducted two non-stop test flights from Toulouse to Melbourne and back, using the first A350-1000ULR destined for Qantas. The first leg from Toulouse to Melbourne was flown on 23 and 24 July; a flight which lasted 19 hours and covered a distance of roughly 16,900 kilometres (10,500 mi; 9,100 nmi).[25] The return leg was flown a few days later on 27 and 28 July, this time on a transpacific route over the US and Canada. The flight lasted 24 hours and 24 minutes and covered around 23,100 kilometres (14,400 mi; 12,500 nmi), setting a new distance record for a commercial flight[26][27] (though not surpassing the duration record of Qantas's 1940s Double Sunrise flights).