Qantas has unveiled the cabin interiors for its Project Sunrise aircraft as the airline prepares to launch the world’s first non-stop flights between Sydney and London in October 2027. The announcement comes one day after the carrier confirmed London as the first destination for the long-awaited ultra long-haul programme.
The new Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft will operate flights of more than 16,000 kilometres and up to 22 hours, cutting as much as four hours from current one-stop journeys between Australia’s east coast and the UK. Qantas said the aircraft has been designed around customer wellbeing, with lower seat density, larger cabins and a dedicated inflight wellness area.
Designed for Flights Lasting Up to 22 Hours
The airline revealed that each aircraft will carry 238 passengers across four cabins, making it the lowest-density Airbus A350 in service worldwide. Seating, lighting, dining and onboard technology have all been designed using research conducted with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to help reduce the effects of jet lag on ultra long-haul flights.
The cabin reveal follows Qantas’ announcement that daily non-stop Sydney-London services will begin in October 2027. The route will be operated by a fleet of 12 specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft equipped with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank.
Qantas said customer demand for non-stop ultra long-haul flights continues to grow. Research commissioned by the airline found that 70% of Australians would consider booking a non-stop ultra long-haul flight, rising to 80% among premium travellers.
More Space Across Every Cabin
The premium end of the aircraft includes six enclosed First suites arranged in a 1-1-1 layout. Each suite features an 80-inch flat bed, a separate reclining chair, workspace, wardrobe and personalised lighting designed to support passengers’ circadian rhythms.
Business Class will offer 52 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. For the first time on Qantas, Business passengers will have sliding privacy doors, while flexible dining schedules and lighting adjustments are planned to align with scientifically optimised rest periods.
The Premium Economy cabin will contain 40 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, featuring enhanced leg and calf support systems, larger privacy headrests and increased storage. The airline said the seats have undergone extensive ergonomic testing and pressure mapping.
In Economy, 140 seats will be configured in a 3-3-3 layout with greater seat pitch than any current Qantas aircraft. The carrier will also introduce Economy Plus seating, offering 42 seats with a 34-inch pitch, priority boarding and priority access to overhead luggage space.
Wellbeing Zone and New Inflight Technology
A key feature of Project Sunrise is the dedicated Wellbeing Zone located between Premium Economy and Economy. The space includes stretch handles, hydration stations, guided movement programs and refreshments designed to encourage passenger movement during the flight.
Qantas is also introducing a new inflight entertainment platform featuring a journey planner synchronised with cabin lighting and meal schedules. The system will be available in 15 languages and include a “watch together” function allowing up to four passengers to view the same content simultaneously.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: “Project Sunrise has given us the chance to think differently about every aspect of the onboard experience. Working closely with Charles Perkins Centre over many years, we’ve designed the experience around the science of what the body needs on a long flight, so customers arrive feeling their best.
“This will be a completely new way to travel, and our customers are going to feel that from the moment they step on board.”
Project Sunrise was first announced in 2017 as Qantas sought to overcome the final frontier of commercial long-haul aviation. Earlier this week, the airline confirmed that Sydney-London will become the first route operated under the programme, marking the first time the Kangaroo Route has been flown non-stop from Australia’s east coast.
Sydney-New York has already been confirmed as the next destination planned under Project Sunrise, with launch timing expected to be announced next year.
