Upmarket operator Audley Travel has welcomed the news that Qantas will launch the world’s first non-stop flights between London and Sydney.
Qantas confirmed today (17 June) that a daily non-stop service between the two cities will begin in October 2027, the first route of its Project Sunrise programme.
The 22-hour flight will be operated by specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, which will have an extra fuel tank, extending the aircraft’s range to more than 16,000km.
Qantas will take delivery of 12 aircraft in total, each configured with 238 seats across four cabins. Journey time will be reduced by up to four hours.
Audley Travel Senior Product Manager Tom Kendall said: “The direct flight to Perth is incredibly popular with our clients, as they find it is easier to manage jet lag thanks to the way mealtimes and lighting are planned and also appreciate the smoother travel experience. I’m confident that the opportunity to travel to Sydney without a stop-over will be just as popular.
“It is also great news for clients who are keen to travel to Australia’s east coast but are constrained by the time they have available for their trip, as the faster journey opens up the area for trips of shorter durations.
“It also makes multi-destination Australasia trips that take in New Zealand and/or French Polynesia logistically simpler for those clients who have a limit to the amount of time they can be away.”
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson described the non-stop service as ‘the most significant step’ in the airline’s 105-year history.
She told a media briefing: “London is the biggest long-haul market for us, so first and foremost it’s where demand is greatest.
“And there’s a really nice tie to the history of Qantas – the Kangaroo Route has always connected Australia to the UK, it’s one of the oldest routes we’ve got.”
Tickets are expected to go on sale in February 2027.
