You can now book Qantas’s Project Sunrise flights from Sydney to London and New York, but only if you’re holding status with Qantas or one of its Oneworld partners. General sale opens July 1, 2026. The first Sydney–London nonstop departs December 15, 2026, and Sydney–New York JFK follows on January 10, 2027. These are the longest commercial flights in the world—up to 20 hours and 15 minutes—operated by the Airbus A350-1000ULR. Here’s exactly how to get a seat, what it costs, and what you need to know before you book.
Photo by Josh Withers on Unsplash
What Is Project Sunrise and Why Does It Matter Right Now?
Project Sunrise is Qantas’s long-delayed plan to fly nonstop from Australia’s east coast to London and New York. The airline finally took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in March 2026, after pushing the launch back from 2025. The first commercial flight—Sydney to London—is scheduled for December 15, 2026, nearly a year later than originally promised.
Why this matters right now: Qantas opened priority booking for frequent flyers on June 1, 2026, and general booking opens July 1. If you want to be on one of the first flights, you need to act fast. Qantas has already reported “unprecedented demand” from their Platinum and Platinum One members, and the first two weeks of London flights are heavily waitlisted.
The aircraft itself is a game-changer. Qantas configured its A350s with only 238 seats—far fewer than the standard 350-400 seats most airlines pack in. That means more space, dedicated wellness zones, and a cabin designed specifically for 20-hour flights. You aren’t just buying a ticket; you’re buying the most comfortable long-haul experience ever built.
Flight Routes and Schedules
Qantas is launching two routes initially, both from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD):
| Route | Launch Date | Flight Time | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney (SYD) → London Heathrow (LHR) | December 15, 2026 | 19h 45m | 4x weekly | A350-1000ULR |
| Sydney (SYD) → New York JFK | January 10, 2027 | 20h 15m | 3x weekly | A350-1000ULR |
Both flights are scheduled as overnight departures. Sydney to London leaves at 8:30 PM local time and arrives at 6:15 AM London time—perfect for a full night’s sleep and a morning arrival. The New York flight departs Sydney at 9:00 PM and lands at JFK at 6:30 AM.
Qantas has confirmed that London flights will increase to daily by March 2027, and New York to daily by June 2027. Melbourne–London and Melbourne–New York are being evaluated for 2028, but nothing is confirmed yet.
How to Book: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility (June 2026 Only)
From June 1 to June 30, 2026, booking is restricted to:
- Qantas Platinum and Platinum One members
- Oneworld Emerald members (including British Airways Gold, Cathay Diamond, American Executive Platinum)
- Qantas Chairman’s Lounge members
If you hold any of these status levels, log into your Qantas account and search for flights on the SYD–LHR or SYD–JFK routes. You’ll see a “Priority Access” banner. Book directly through Qantas.com.
Step 2: General Sale Opens July 1, 2026
From July 1, 2026, anyone can book. You do not need a Qantas Frequent Flyer account to purchase a ticket, but you should create one anyway to earn points and status credits.
Go to Qantas.com and search Sydney to London or Sydney to New York. The Project Sunrise flights will display with flight numbers QF1 (Sydney–London) and QF3 (Sydney–New York).
Step 3: Choose Your Cabin Class
Qantas offers four cabins on the A350:
First Class Suites – 6 suites in a 1-1-1 configuration. Each suite has a fully closing door, a 32-inch 4K screen, a mattress that converts into a double bed for couples, and a personal wardrobe. The seat transforms into a 80-inch flat bed. Price: approximately $12,000–$18,000 AUD one-way.
Business Class Suites – 52 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Qantas calls these “Project Sunrise Business Suites” with a 22-inch screen, direct aisle access, and a 78-inch flat bed. The key upgrade is the “Wellbeing Zone” access—more on that below. Price: approximately $5,500–$8,000 AUD one-way.
Premium Economy – 40 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. 40-inch pitch, 9.5-inch recline, 13-inch screen. Better than most airlines’ premium economy, but still a long time in a recliner. Price: approximately $2,800–$4,200 AUD one-way.
Economy – 140 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. 33-inch pitch, 11-inch screen. Qantas designed the economy seat with extra lumbar support and a “sleep mode” footrest that extends from the seat base. Price: approximately $1,500–$2,500 AUD one-way.
Step 4: Pay with Points or Cash
You can book with cash or Qantas Points. Redemption rates start at:
- First: 180,000 Qantas Points + taxes
- Business: 120,000 Qantas Points + taxes
- Premium Economy: 80,000 Qantas Points + taxes
- Economy: 55,000 Qantas Points + taxes
Classic Rewards availability is extremely limited. If you see a Classic Reward seat, book it immediately—they disappear within hours.
What Makes the A350 Different for 20-Hour Flights
Qantas didn’t just slap their regular seats on a longer-range plane. They redesigned the entire experience around ultra-long-haul comfort.
The Wellbeing Zone
Between premium economy and business class, Qantas installed a dedicated “Wellbeing Zone.” This is not a bar or lounge like on Emirates or Qatar. It’s a movement and stretching area with:
- A wall-mounted stretching bar
- Guided exercise videos on a large screen
- Hydration stations with infused water and herbal teas
- A “mood lighting” system that simulates sunrise and sunset to combat jet lag
Only business and first class passengers have access. Premium economy and economy passengers can use it by invitation from cabin crew during designated times.
Crew Rest Areas
The A350 has two dedicated crew rest compartments—one above the forward cabin, one above the aft cabin. This means crew get proper sleep on rotation, which translates to better service for you.
Air Filtration and Cabin Pressure
The A350-1000ULR operates at a lower cabin altitude (6,000 feet vs. the standard 8,000 feet). Combined with HEPA filtration and higher humidity levels, you’ll arrive less dehydrated and with fewer headaches. Qantas claims passengers will feel “one full time zone less jet lagged” compared to a standard long-haul flight.
Pros and Cons of Booking Project Sunrise
First Class
Pros: The only double bed in commercial aviation. Personal wardrobe. Best meal service Qantas offers. Access to the Wellbeing Zone. Priority everything.
Cons: Insanely expensive. Only 6 seats per flight—extremely hard to book. No shower or spa facilities like on Emirates.
Best for: Couples traveling together who want to arrive completely rested. High-net-worth travelers who value privacy.
Business Class
Pros: Excellent seat with direct aisle access. Wellbeing Zone access. Great food and wine. Competitive pricing vs. competitors’ business class on one-stop routes.
Cons: No door on the suite (unlike Qatar Qsuite or Singapore Suites). The seat is narrower than some competitors.
Best for: Frequent business travelers who need to arrive productive. Anyone who can expense a business class ticket.
Premium Economy
Pros: More legroom than economy. Better meal service. Dedicated cabin with fewer passengers. Good value for the price.
Cons: You can’t lie flat. 20 hours in a recliner is still tough. No Wellbeing Zone access.
Best for: Tall travelers who can’t handle economy pitch. Budget-conscious travelers who want a step up without paying business prices.
Economy
Pros: The most affordable way to fly nonstop. Better seat design than standard Qantas economy. The footrest extension helps you sleep.
Cons: 20 hours in economy is brutal, even with good seats. No Wellbeing Zone. Limited meal options compared to premium cabins.
Best for: Price-sensitive travelers who prioritize time over comfort. Backpackers and gap-year travelers.
Real Pricing Examples (June 2026)
I searched Qantas.com on June 17, 2026 for sample dates. All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD) one-way.
| Date | Route | Cabin | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2026 | SYD→LHR | Economy | $1,899 |
| Dec 15, 2026 | SYD→LHR | Business | $6,450 |
| Jan 10, 2027 | SYD→JFK | Premium Economy | $3,200 |
| Jan 10, 2027 | SYD→JFK | First | $15,800 |
| Feb 1, 2027 | SYD→LHR | Economy | $1,550 |
| Mar 15, 2027 | SYD→JFK | Business | $5,800 |
Note: Prices fluctuate wildly based on demand. The December 15 inaugural flight is already showing only First and Business availability for cash bookings—economy is waitlisted.
Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash
What About the Delays?
You might have seen headlines that Project Sunrise was “further delayed” or “pushed to 2027.” Here’s the truth:
Qantas originally planned to launch Project Sunrise in 2025. Then early 2026. Then mid-2026. The first delivery of the A350-1000ULR was delayed by Airbus due to supply chain issues. The current schedule has the first commercial flight on December 15, 2026—that’s the real date. Qantas has already taken delivery of two aircraft, with a third arriving in August 2026.
The New York flight was originally supposed to launch alongside London, but Qantas pushed it to January 2027 to allow for crew training and route certification. That’s a minor delay, not a cancellation.
If you’ve seen “Project Sunrise delayed to 2027” in your news feed, that’s referring to the New York route specifically. London is still 2026.
Who Should Book Project Sunrise?
Book it if: You hate layovers. The current fastest Sydney–London option with a stop takes about 22 hours total with a 1-hour connection in Singapore or Dubai. Project Sunrise saves you 2-3 hours of total travel time and eliminates the hassle of a second boarding, customs, and security.
Book it if: You’re a Qantas loyalist. These flights earn significantly more status credits than standard flights. A business class ticket on Project Sunrise earns 320 status credits—enough to requalify for Gold on a single round trip.
Skip it if: You’re on a tight budget. You can find Sydney–London one-stop for $800 AUD in economy. Project Sunrise economy costs nearly double that. The convenience premium is real.
Skip it if: You prefer a break mid-flight. Some people genuinely enjoy stretching their legs in Singapore or Dubai for an hour. If you’re one of them, stick with the one-stop.
FAQ
Q: Can I book Project Sunrise flights with Qantas Points? A: Yes. Classic Reward seats are available starting at 55,000 points for economy and 180,000 for first. Availability is very limited. Check Qantas.com daily. You can also use points to upgrade from a paid fare, but upgrade availability is even tighter.
Q: What happens if the flight is delayed or cancelled? A: Qantas’s standard rebooking policies apply. If the delay is more than 3 hours, you’re entitled to compensation under Australian consumer law. For a 20-hour flight, Qantas will rebook you on the next available Project Sunrise flight or on a one-stop partner flight. They also provide accommodation for overnight delays.
Q: Do I need a visa for these flights? A: You need a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for Australia if you’re arriving. For London, you need a UK visa or ETA depending on your nationality. For New York, you need ESTA (for visa waiver countries) or a US visa. Qantas checks visa documentation at check-in. No transit visa is needed since these are nonstop flights.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi on the A350? A: Yes. Qantas uses Viasat satellite Wi-Fi. It’s free for Qantas Frequent Flyer members (any tier) and paid for non-members. Speeds are sufficient for messaging, email, and web browsing. Streaming video is possible but may buffer during peak usage. The service is available from takeoff to landing.
Q: How do I choose a seat? A: Seat selection opens at booking for business and first class passengers. Premium economy and economy can select seats at booking for a fee, or free 24 hours before departure. If you’re in economy, book an aisle seat near the rear of the cabin—closer to the lavatories and the crew can offer you access to the Wellbeing Zone if it’s quiet.
Q: What meals are served on a 20-hour flight? A: Qantas serves three main meals plus continuous snack service. The menu was designed by Neil Perry (Qantas’s long-time culinary partner) with input from nutritionists to combat jet lag. Expect lighter proteins, complex carbohydrates, and herbal teas. Alcohol is available but Qantas encourages moderation on these flights—you’ll arrive feeling better if you skip the third glass of wine.
Final Advice
Book the earliest possible departure if you want to be on the inaugural flight. December 15, 2026 from Sydney to London is already heavily waitlisted. If you don’t have status, set a calendar reminder for July 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM AEST and book immediately.
If you’re flexible on dates, aim for February or March 2027. Prices drop significantly after the holiday rush, and the crew will have settled into the rhythm of the route.
Consider flying business class on Project Sunrise rather than first class on a one-stop competitor. The total travel time savings and the Wellbeing Zone make business class on the nonstop a better experience than first class on a 30-hour journey with a connection.
And if you’re in economy—pack noise-canceling headphones, compression socks, and a neck pillow. You’ll need all three.
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through [AFFILIATE_LINK_QANTAS], I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All prices and schedules are accurate as of publication but may change. Always confirm directly with Qantas before booking.
Last updated: 2026-06-17