The first non-stop flight from the UK to Sydney, in Australia, will last a total of 22 hours, is due to begin flying in 2027 and could even fly over the North Pole
The first non-stop flight from the UK to Sydney, Australia, is due to begin in early 2027 and may fly over the North Pole.
Australian airline Qantas is currently preparing to launch the longest plane journey in the world, lasting 22 hours in total, known as ‘Project Sunrise’. Now, the chief executive has announced that once the service commences, it could fly over the North Pole.
Vanessa Hudson, chief executive of Qantas, told The Independent that being unable to fly over Russia would cause a problem to the flights. “Geopolitics is a part of any operational consideration, but these aircraft won’t need to fly over Russia to be able to make the distance,” she commented. “The really unique thing about this flight is that at some times of the year, the fastest way to get from Sydney to London will be over Japan and over the North Pole and down the other side because of the wind direction.”
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At the moment, the most direct route for the 10,573 mile distance between the London Heathrow and Sydney, passes over Russia. However, the airspace above the world’s biggest country is currently closed to ‘Western’ aircraft including British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Qantas.
Ms Hudson added that Qantas pilots are currently doing lots of flight planning for a route that would potentially go over the North Pole, and that they have 12 months’ worth of wind data to do this. They are also carrying out a lot of flight-planning simulations.
“Don’t just assume that you have to fly west [from Sydney to London] all the time – there will be other routes that we can take,” she continued.
The first ultra-long-haul Airbus A350 will enter the production cycle in September 2025, according to Ms Hudson. The airline has picked 12 Airbus A350s to fly the route and the airline has worked with sleep scientists and various experts to make sure it is possible. A normal Airbus A350 can carry around 300 passengers, but to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible, Qantas intends for their Airbus A350s to carry 238.
Each aircraft will feature six first-class suites and another 52 business class. Those in premium economy will benefit from an eight inch privacy headrest that adjusts and a calf rest. Business class suites will have walls and doors for privacy, a lay-flat bed and a large TV.
Every single seat on the plane will have a 13-inch OLED TV screen and multiple USB-C charging points. Premium economy seats will have integrated wireless charging ports available. According to Ms Hudson, predicted passengers will pay a 20 per cent premium on London to Sydney tickets, just to cut out the refuelling stop.
The planes are due to be delivered in late 2026 and should begin services in early 2027. Initially, Sydney will be connected non-stop with either London Heathrow or New York JFK, but no decision has been made yet about which city.
