Qantas Sets 2028 Launch for First Nonstop Sydney to New York Flights

Qantas has confirmed it will launch the world's first nonstop commercial flights between Sydney and New York in mid-2028, extending its ambitious Project Sunrise program to a second ultra-long-haul route.

The Australian flag carrier plans to operate the service using the Airbus A350-1000ULR, a specially configured variant designed to cover distances no commercial aircraft has flown in scheduled service before. The New York route will follow the launch of nonstop Sydney to London flights, which Qantas expects to begin in early 2027.

A New Chapter for Ultra-Long-Haul Travel

Project Sunrise has been in development for years as Qantas sought aircraft capable of connecting Australia's east coast directly with the far side of the globe. The Sydney to New York route spans roughly 16,200 kilometers and will require close to 20 hours in the air, placing it among the longest commercial flights ever operated.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson framed the launch as a milestone for both the airline and international aviation. She said the introduction of nonstop services to London and New York would "revolutionise the way Australians travel to the world and the way the world travels to Australia."

The airline expects the route to appeal to premium travelers willing to pay for the time savings over one-stop itineraries that currently route passengers through Los Angeles, Dallas, Auckland, or Asian hubs. A direct flight is projected to save passengers approximately three hours compared with existing connections.

The Aircraft Behind the Mission

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft to operate Project Sunrise routes. The airline took delivery of its first A350 fuselage sections earlier this year, with final assembly underway at the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft has been configured to carry 238 passengers across four cabins, a lower density than typical A350-1000 layouts to accommodate the demands of ultra-long-haul travel. The configuration includes six first class suites, 52 business class seats, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats.

A dedicated wellbeing zone in the middle of the cabin will give passengers space to stretch, move, and access snacks and hydration stations during the extended flight. Qantas has worked with the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney to develop cabin features, menus, and lighting programs designed to reduce jet lag on flights lasting close to a full day.

Timing and Rollout

Qantas plans to launch Sydney to London first, with services beginning in early 2027. New York will follow in mid-2028 once additional aircraft enter the fleet. The airline has not yet disclosed frequency for the New York service, though Sydney to London is expected to operate daily.

Hudson acknowledged that the timeline for both routes has shifted since Project Sunrise was first announced. Delays in aircraft certification and engine testing pushed the original launch back by roughly a year. She said the airline remains confident in the revised schedule and in the commercial case for the flights.

"These flights will be truly transformational, and we can't wait to bring them to life for our customers," Hudson said.

Commercial and Competitive Stakes

Qantas has long positioned Project Sunrise as a strategic response to competition from Middle Eastern and Asian carriers that dominate one-stop traffic between Australia and Europe or the U.S. East Coast. By eliminating the layover entirely, Qantas aims to capture premium travelers who currently choose Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, or Cathay Pacific for these journeys.

The airline has invested heavily in the program, including a reported $100 million in cabin design and passenger wellbeing research. Executives have pointed to the airline's existing Perth to London nonstop service, launched in 2018, as evidence that Australian travelers will pay a premium for direct routing.

Fuel efficiency will play a central role in the economics of the flights. The A350-1000ULR features an enlarged fuel tank and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines that Qantas and Airbus say provide the range needed to complete the journey with commercial payload in most weather conditions.

Sustainability Considerations

Ultra-long-haul flights have drawn scrutiny over their environmental footprint, given the fuel burn required to carry enough fuel for the trip itself. Qantas has committed to using sustainable aviation fuel where available and has set a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

The airline argues that a nonstop flight, while fuel-intensive, avoids the additional takeoffs, landings, and taxiing associated with connecting itineraries, which can partially offset the higher per-flight fuel burn.

Looking Ahead

Sales for the Sydney to London service are expected to open in 2027, with New York tickets to follow closer to launch. Qantas has not disclosed pricing, though industry analysts expect fares to sit above current one-stop options, particularly in premium cabins.

If both routes launch on schedule, Qantas will operate the two longest commercial flights in the world by 2028. The airline sees the program as central to its long-term international strategy and as a signature offering that distinguishes it from competitors on some of aviation's most demanding routes.

For travelers in Sydney and New York, the practical result will be simple. You will be able to board a plane in one city and step off in the other without changing aircraft, a possibility that has eluded commercial aviation for as long as the two cities have been connected by air.