Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) has set a mid-2028 start for non-stop Sydney-New York flights, putting a firm timeline on the next stage of Project Sunrise. Tickets are expected to go on sale in August 2027, following the planned launch of daily non-stop Sydney-London services in October 2027. The airline is positioning the ultra-long-haul program around shorter journey times, premium seating and growing Demand for direct international travel.

A Direct Route Moves Closer to Take-Off

The Sydney-New York service is planned around the Airbus A350-1000ULR, with Qantas having 12 aircraft on order. The aircraft will include an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank and are designed for journeys of more than 16,000 kilometres, with flight capability of up to 22 hours.

The Sydney-New York journey is expected to take about 18 hours, reducing travel time by roughly three hours compared with the current one-stop trip. Qantas has also indicated that Project Sunrise services can cut journey times by up to four hours on some routes compared with one-stop alternatives.

Cabin Design Puts Premium Travel at the Centre

The A350-1000ULR cabin will carry 238 passengers across four cabins. The configuration includes six enclosed First suites, 52 Business suites with sliding doors, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy seats, including 42 Economy Plus seats with additional legroom.

More than 40% of seating will sit in premium cabins. A dedicated Wellbeing Zone between Premium Economy and Economy will include stretch handles, guided movement programs and a hydration station, reflecting the demands of flights that can approach a full day in the air.

Aircraft Deliveries Set the Next Milestones

The first A350-1000ULR is due for delivery in April 2027. More than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew are expected to be trained before the twelfth aircraft arrives, while the first A350 simulator is already operating in Sydney.

Demand indicators are also part of the airline's planning. US visitor arrivals increased 5% year on year, while the share of travellers intending to book ultra-long-haul flights rose from 58% to 70% since February 2026. Nearly two million passengers have travelled on Qantas' existing non-stop long-haul routes since 2018.

Fuel Costs Frame the Financial Backdrop

The expansion comes after Qantas reported Underlying Profit before tax of AUD 2.06bn for FY26, down AUD 330mn from the previous year. Statutory profit after tax was AUD 1.29bn.

Fuel costs increased by AUD 610mn, while the airline flagged a first-half FY27 fuel bill of about AUD 3.6bn. It also recorded a net negative impact of AUD 420mn from Middle East conflict, cancelled an AUD 150mn share buyback and declared a fully franked final Dividend of 19.8 cents per share.

Fleet renewal is continuing alongside Project Sunrise. Qantas took delivery of 17 aircraft in FY26 and expects up to 31 in FY27, while retirement of the A380 fleet is scheduled to begin in 2028.

What to Watch Next

The first major milestone is the arrival of the initial A350-1000ULR in April 2027. Sydney-London ticket sales are expected to begin in February 2027, followed by the route launch in October 2027.

For Sydney-New York, ticket sales are scheduled for August 2027 ahead of the planned mid-2028 launch. Aircraft deliveries, booking demand, fuel costs and operating performance will remain key factors as Project Sunrise moves from preparation to commercial service.