Qantas Project Sunrise: 18-Hour New York Flights
Qantas Project Sunrise is moving into a new phase after Qantas confirmed plans for nonstop flights between Sydney and New York, creating one of the world’s longest commercial passenger routes.
The Australian carrier says the Sydney-New York service is expected to begin in 2028. The flight will take about 18 hours, eliminating the need for the traditional stopover in Los Angeles and cutting several hours from the current journey. Tickets for the new route are expected to go on sale in August 2027. TThe Guardian
The announcement expands Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise program beyond its planned Sydney-London service. That London route is scheduled to begin in October 2027, making Sydney-New York the second major ultra-long-haul route planned under the program. QQantas+1
Qantas Project Sunrise Adds Sydney-New York
For decades, travelers flying between Australia’s east coast and New York have generally needed at least one stop.
Qantas currently operates Sydney-New York journeys with a connection in Los Angeles. The airline’s planned Project Sunrise service will remove that stop, allowing passengers to remain on the same aircraft for the entire journey. TThe Guardian
The new route is expected to connect Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport with New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Qantas says the nonstop flight will take approximately 18 hours. That represents a significant reduction compared with current one-stop itineraries, which can take roughly 21 hours or longer depending on the connection and operating conditions. TThe Guardian
The change is more than a timetable adjustment. It represents the central objective behind Project Sunrise: using specially configured aircraft to connect Australia’s east coast directly with distant international destinations.
What Is Qantas Project Sunrise?
Qantas Project Sunrise is the airline’s long-running plan to operate ultra-long-haul flights from Australia’s east coast to destinations that were previously considered impractical for nonstop commercial service.
The program dates back to 2017, when Qantas announced plans to connect Sydney with London and New York without intermediate stops. In 2022, the airline ordered 12 specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for the project. MMonorepo Sample1+1
The aircraft are designed for flights of up to approximately 22 hours.
That capability is crucial because conventional long-haul aircraft cannot provide the same combination of range, passenger capacity and operational requirements needed for the longest proposed Qantas routes.
According to Qantas, its Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR aircraft will have a range of more than 16,000 kilometers and will be capable of operating flights lasting up to 22 hours nonstop. AAgency Connect
Sydney-New York Will Follow Sydney-London
The Sydney-New York announcement comes as Qantas prepares for the first commercial Project Sunrise service.
Sydney-London flights are scheduled to begin in October 2027. Qantas says tickets for that route are expected to go on sale in February 2027. QQantas+1
The London service will take up to about 22 hours, making it longer than the planned Sydney-New York journey.
Together, the two routes form the initial core of Project Sunrise.
Qantas has indicated that additional ultra-long-haul destinations could eventually be considered. However, Sydney-London and Sydney-New York are the confirmed destinations at this stage. QQantas
When Will Qantas Sydney-New York Flights Start?
Qantas has said the Sydney-New York route will begin in 2028.
The airline has not yet announced the precise launch month. Tickets are expected to go on sale in August 2027, giving travelers an opportunity to book the new service ahead of its introduction. TThe Guardian
This means passengers will still have to wait before the nonstop Sydney-New York journey becomes available.
The timetable also depends on the delivery and certification of Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft. The airline’s official Project Sunrise information notes that aircraft delivery, ticket sales and service commencement remain subject to regulatory approvals and certification. AAgency Connect
The Airbus A350-1000ULR Behind Project Sunrise
At the center of the program is the Airbus A350-1000ULR, an ultra-long-range version of Airbus’ A350 wide-body aircraft.
Qantas has ordered 12 of these aircraft specifically for Project Sunrise.
The aircraft incorporate additional fuel capacity to support flights that can last up to 22 hours. Qantas has also adopted a lower-density cabin configuration, allowing more space for passengers than would typically be found on a high-capacity long-haul aircraft. AAgency Connect+1
Qantas says each Project Sunrise aircraft will have 238 seats across four cabin classes.
The configuration includes six First Class suites, 52 Business Class suites and 40 Premium Economy seats, with the remainder in Economy Class. AAgency Connect
The aircraft is therefore designed around a different proposition from simply carrying as many passengers as possible.
The airline is targeting travelers who place a high value on direct connections, while also trying to make extremely long flights more manageable.
A New Approach to Long-Haul Comfort
Flying for 18 to 22 hours creates challenges that go beyond aircraft range.
Passenger fatigue, sleep schedules, movement, food, hydration and cabin environment all become increasingly important as flight duration increases.
Qantas has therefore developed Project Sunrise around a range of cabin and onboard features designed specifically for ultra-long-haul travel.
The aircraft will include a dedicated Wellbeing Zone where passengers can move around during the flight and access refreshments. Qantas has also highlighted custom lighting and cabin design intended to support passenger comfort and help with the effects of jet lag. QQantas+1
The airline says passengers will also have access to fast, free Wi-Fi across cabins and Bluetooth audio connectivity. AAgency Connect
These features are particularly relevant because an 18-hour nonstop flight is long enough to span multiple sleep periods and significant changes in body-clock timing.
Qantas Has Already Tested the Aircraft
Project Sunrise is not simply a future concept.
The specially configured A350 has already undergone major testing.
In June 2026, the first Project Sunrise aircraft completed its maiden test flight from Toulouse, France. The flight lasted three hours and 43 minutes and was designed to test key aircraft systems, including the specialized fuel system. AAgency Connect
A much more demanding test followed in July.
An Airbus test aircraft built for Qantas flew nonstop from Melbourne to Toulouse for approximately 24 hours and 24 minutes. The flight was conducted without passengers as part of the testing program for the ultra-long-range aircraft. MMonorepo Sample1
The test attracted enormous attention, with millions of people reportedly tracking the aircraft online.
The purpose of such flights is not simply to demonstrate that the aircraft can remain airborne for an extended period. Engineers and flight crews must also collect operational data and validate systems needed for commercial service.
Why Sydney-New York Matters to Qantas
Qantas has increasingly focused on direct international routes that can command strong passenger demand while avoiding traditional hub connections.
The airline has said demand for flights to and from New York has doubled since 2023. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures also showed that short-term visitor arrivals from the United States to Australia increased by 4% in the year to July 2026, although Australian residents returning from the United States declined by 9% over the same period. TThe Guardian
The Sydney-New York route therefore gives Qantas another opportunity to strengthen its presence in the important Australia-U.S. market.
It also changes the competitive proposition.
Instead of competing only on price or connection options, Qantas can market the Sydney-New York service around the convenience of avoiding a stopover.
For some passengers, saving several hours and avoiding a connection could be a major consideration.
How Much Will Sydney-New York Tickets Cost?
Qantas has not yet announced final fares for Project Sunrise Sydney-New York flights.
That means travelers should not assume that the new nonstop service will cost the same as existing connecting flights.
Qantas has previously indicated that its ultra-long-haul services are expected to command a premium because of the convenience and specialized aircraft involved. The airline has also pointed to the performance of its existing premium long-haul services as evidence of demand for direct international travel.
The exact fare structure will become clearer when tickets go on sale.
For travelers planning ahead, August 2027 is the key date currently provided by Qantas for Sydney-New York ticket sales. TThe Guardian
Will Sydney-New York Be the World’s Longest Flight?
Project Sunrise is designed around some of the longest commercial flights ever planned.
Sydney-London will stretch to approximately 22 hours, while Sydney-New York is expected to take around 18 hours.
The exact flight duration will vary depending on winds, routing, weather, air traffic and other operational conditions. Therefore, published flight times should be understood as planned or scheduled durations rather than a guarantee that every flight will take exactly the same amount of time.
The aircraft itself is capable of flights lasting up to 22 hours, according to Qantas. AAgency Connect
The program is consequently pushing the boundaries of what passengers can expect from conventional commercial air travel.
What Project Sunrise Means for Travelers
For passengers, the biggest change is straightforward: fewer connections.
A Sydney traveler heading to New York will eventually be able to board in Australia and remain on the same aircraft until arriving at JFK.
There will be no need to collect bags during a connection in Los Angeles. There will be no airport transfer between flights and no risk of missing a connecting flight because the first aircraft arrived late.
The trade-off is the length of time spent onboard.
An 18-hour nonstop journey may be attractive to travelers who prefer efficiency, but others may still value a stopover that breaks the journey into separate segments.
That makes Project Sunrise less about replacing every existing travel option and more about creating another choice for passengers who prioritize direct travel.
Qantas Project Sunrise Enters a New Era
The confirmation of Sydney-New York marks a major step in Qantas Project Sunrise.
The airline has spent years developing the aircraft, testing ultra-long-haul operations and designing a cabin specifically for journeys that can last nearly an entire day.
The first commercial milestone will be Sydney-London in October 2027. Sydney-New York is expected to follow in 2028, with tickets planned to go on sale in August 2027. TThe Guardian+1
The success of these routes will depend on several factors, including aircraft availability, regulatory approvals, operating economics and passenger demand.
For now, however, the direction is clear.
Qantas is preparing to make nonstop travel between Australia’s east coast and two of the world’s most important cities a regular part of its international network.
If the schedule proceeds as planned, passengers will soon be able to fly from Sydney to New York in roughly 18 hours without leaving the aircraft.
That would turn Project Sunrise from a long-discussed aviation ambition into a new reality for commercial travelers.
