A new dawn for long-haul travel: Project Sunrise by Qantas Airways
On 17 June 2026, in Toulouse, history was made as Qantas unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000ULR, marking a monumental step forward for Project Sunrise.
As a proud GSA partner for Qantas in over 14 countries worldwide, TAL Aviation Group is thrilled by this announcement and what it means for the future of global connectivity.
This is not just a new aircraft; it is the realization of a vision to conquer the "final frontier" of aviation.
The Sydney–London route will become the world's longest non-stop commercial flight, finally eliminating stops on the iconic Kangaroo Route for the first time since 1947.
The specially designed A350-1000ULR will carry 238 passengers across four cabins, featuring innovations built from the ground up for ultra-long-haul comfort, including a dedicated Wellbeing Zone, circadian lighting, and a cabin configuration with more than 40% premium seats—all focused on helping passengers arrive feeling refreshed.
The historic Sydney–London non-stop service is set to launch in October 2027, saving passengers up to four hours compared to current one-stop services.
Qantas will take delivery of 12 custom-built Airbus A350-1000ULRs, each capable of flying for up to 22 hours.
The passenger experience has been purpose-built to combat jetlag, featuring a bespoke menu and lighting designed around sleep science.
Looking ahead, Sydney–New York will follow as the next destination, with more routes to come.

