A New Nonstop Could Keep Travelers in the Air for 22 Hours

Qantas is moving closer to a flight that could keep passengers in the air for roughly 22 hours without a stop. Its specially built Airbus A350-1000ULR has entered flight testing for Project Sunrise, the airline’s plan to connect Sydney and London nonstop beginning in October 2027.

The route would remove the connection that travelers currently make between Australia’s east coast and the United Kingdom. Qantas says the nonstop could save as much as four hours compared with the fastest one-stop journey, but the unusually long cabin time creates a second challenge: making nearly an entire day aloft feel tolerable.

The Aircraft Has Already Reached a Major Milestone

The first Project Sunrise aircraft completed its maiden test flight in June 2026. In July, the test aircraft was scheduled to reach Australia as Airbus and Qantas continued certification and evaluation work ahead of delivery, which is planned for April 2027.

The A350-1000ULR is being manufactured specifically for these routes. Qantas plans to begin with a daily Sydney-to-London service, while nonstop Sydney-to-New York flights are expected to follow. Tickets for the first London service are scheduled to go on sale in February 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and certification.

The route also carries a sense of aviation history. Qantas has used the name Kangaroo Route for travel between Australia and the United Kingdom since 1947, when the journey required multiple stops and took days. Each new generation of aircraft removed another stop; Project Sunrise is intended to remove the final one.

Distance is only part of the engineering problem. The airline has to carry enough fuel for an ultra-long journey while preserving space, weight, and service levels for passengers and crew. Qantas has configured the aircraft for 238 passengers, fewer than many standard A350-1000 layouts.

A Wellness Zone Will Replace Some Passenger Seats

The lower seat count creates room for a dedicated area where passengers can stand, stretch, and move during the flight. Qantas has described the space as a Wellbeing Zone positioned between premium economy and economy, with guided movement content and hydration access.

Cabin lighting and meal timing are also being designed around the body clock rather than a conventional service schedule. The airline worked with researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre after earlier research flights examined sleep, movement, food, and light exposure on ultra-long journeys.

Those features do not eliminate the physical demands of 22 hours in transit. Travelers will still need to think carefully about hydration, movement, medications, sleep, and personal health needs. But the design acknowledges that the longest flight cannot be judged only by whether the aircraft has enough range.

The airline’s approach also reflects a basic reality of ultra-long-haul travel: small inconveniences become larger when they continue for most of a day. Seat choice, access to the aisle, meal timing, cabin lighting, and opportunities to move can shape the experience as much as entertainment or speed.

One Very Long Flight-or a Break in the Journey?

For some passengers, removing a connection will be the central benefit. A nonstop reduces the risk of a missed onward flight, avoids another airport screening or transfer, and can shorten the total trip. For travelers who find connections tiring or unpredictable, that simplicity may carry real value.

Others may prefer to divide the journey. A stop can provide time to walk, eat away from an aircraft seat, sleep in a hotel, or add another destination to a major trip. The better choice will depend on health, schedule, fare, and whether the traveler values the shortest total journey or relief from uninterrupted cabin time.

Project Sunrise is therefore testing more than a record-setting route. It is testing whether enough travelers will trade a connection for a single flight lasting close to a full day-and whether cabin design can make that trade feel worthwhile.

References: Qantas - Project Sunrise Test Aircraft Reaches Australia | Qantas - Project Sunrise Onboard Experience | Qantas - A350-1000ULR Completes Maiden Test Flight