Project Sunrise: What we know about Qantas’ new Sydney to NY non-stop service
Qantas has finally confirmed that its second Project Sunrise non-stop service will be between Sydney and New York, shedding around three hours off the current fastest travel time.
On September 23, 2026, Qantas announced that the first flight between Sydney and New York will take off from mid-2028, with its custom Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft powering the journey.
Qantas has ordered 12 bespoke Airbus A350-1000ULRs, designed with a special extra 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables the aircraft to fly more than 16,000 kilometers, and up to 22 hours non-stop.
There was speculation that the route between Sydney and New York could be the first Project Sunrise service. However, in June 2026, Qantas confirmed that London-Heathrow Airport would be Project Sunrise’s launch destination, beginning in October 2027.
QantasThe flight between Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) is expected to take around 18 hours. The flight between Sydney and Heathrow will be roughly 20 hours.
Tickets for the flights between Sydney and New York will go on sale from August 2027. According to Qantas, demand in and out of New York on Qantas has nearly doubled since 2023.
Since 2018, Qantas passengers flying between Perth and London, Rome and Paris have already been able to opt for a non-stop service, as have travelers from Melbourne to Dallas and Auckland to New York.
“Conquering the tyranny of distance has been part of who Qantas is from the very beginning,” Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said. “Reaching New York non-stop completes a vision we set out many years ago, and it’s a moment of enormous pride for the thousands of our people who have been working hard to make Project Sunrise a reality.”
She added: “From 2028, our customers will be able to board in Sydney and arrive in New York around 18 hours later without stopping once, cutting around three hours off the current fastest travel time. That changes what’s possible for travel between our two countries.”
Record breaking A350-1000ULR test aircraft
The first test aircraft, currently registered F-WULR and named Vega, is in the final stages of its flight test program.
In July 2026, the A350-1000ULR flew to Melbourne Airport (MEL) from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) in around 19 hours.
The A350-1000ULR then departed Australia on July 27, 2026, flying transpacific over the US and Canada, and landing back in France on July 28, 2026. The marathon flight lasted 24 hours and 23 minutes.
AirbusThe first aircraft is expected to be delivered to Qantas in April next year, and pilot training is already underway on Australia’s first A350 simulator.
More than 360 Qantas pilots and 1,200 cabin crew will be trained to operate Qantas’ fleet of Project Sunrise aircraft by the time the 12th A350-1000ULR arrives.
Additional information about Project Sunrise and Sydney-New York flights
It is the first-ever non-stop commercial service between Australia and New York.
Qantas currently operates a daily one-stop Sydney–New York service via Auckland.
Each Project Sunrise A350 will have 238 seats across four cabins.
Nearly two million passengers have flown on Qantas’ non-stop long-haul services since 2018.
Qantas says the aircraft and onboard experience have been designed around the science of ultra-long-haul travel.
Aircraft delivery, ticket sales and service commencement are subject to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification.
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The post Project Sunrise: What we know about Qantas’ new Sydney to NY non-stop service appeared first on AeroTime.
Qantas has finally confirmed that its second Project Sunrise non-stop service will be between Sydney and New York,…
The post Project Sunrise: What we know about Qantas’ new Sydney to NY non-stop service appeared first on AeroTime.
