Qantas has announced plans to operate nonstop service between Sydney and New York starting in mid-2028 as part of its Project Sunrise expansion initiative. The route represents the airline’s second ultra long-haul offering and will reduce travel time to approximately 18 hours, compared to the current 21-hour journey that includes a stopover in Los Angeles. This marks the first commercial direct flight between Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith Airport and New York’s JFK Airport.
The new service will utilize Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, which have been specially configured with extended fuel tanks to enable flights exceeding 22 hours of continuous operation. Qantas has ordered 12 of these aircraft, with the first delivery expected in April 2027. Each plane will accommodate 238 passengers across various cabin classes, including six first-class suites, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. A distinctive feature of these aircraft will be a dedicated “wellbeing zone” positioned between the economy and premium economy sections, where passengers can exercise, view guided fitness videos, and access refreshments.
Ticket sales for the Sydney-New York route are scheduled to begin in August 2027. Qantas has indicated that fares for Project Sunrise routes may cost approximately 20% more than existing stopover fares. The airline projects that these ultra long-haul flights and sustained premium demand will generate an additional $400 million in earnings over the next five years, with profit margins expected to increase from the current 4% to 10%.
The Project Sunrise program has experienced multiple delays since its initial 2022 target launch date, with previous postponements attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and manufacturing delays at Airbus. The airline’s first direct route under this initiative, connecting Sydney and London, is scheduled to commence in October 2027. Qantas is also considering future direct routes from Perth but has discontinued plans for services from Brisbane or Melbourne. The company is undertaking extensive pilot and crew training, with over 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew members scheduled for instruction by the time the full fleet arrives.
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