- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
London to Sydney Qantas Flights: The 22-Hour Direct Route Taking Off in 2027
By Mr Plane Guy, aviation geek, long-haul seat tester & occasional jet-lag survivor
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For decades, flying between London and Sydney has meant one thing: a stop somewhere along the way.
Dubai. Singapore. Doha. Hong Kong. Take your pick.
But Qantas is preparing to change that.
The Australian airline plans to launch non-stop flights between London and Sydney lasting around 22 hours, creating what will become the longest commercial passenger flights in the world.
The flights are part of the airline’s ultra-long-haul programme known as Project Sunrise, which aims to connect Australia directly with major global cities that currently require stopovers.
If you're departing from London Heathrow before a long-haul journey, it’s also worth checking out the best Heathrow airport lounges to make the start of the trip a little smoother.
When the route launches in 2027, it will dramatically reshape how travellers fly between Europe and Australia.
London to Sydney Flight Time (Quick Answer)
The expected London to Sydney flight time on Qantas’ future direct flights will be around 21 to 22 hours.
These non-stop flights are expected to launch in 2027 as part of Qantas’ Project Sunrise, using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft designed for ultra-long-haul travel.
Once launched, the London to Sydney Qantas route will become the longest commercial passenger flight in the world, covering roughly 10,573 miles (17,000 km).
London to Sydney Flight Time: How Long Will the Direct Flight Take?
Currently, the London to Sydney flight time typically ranges between 22 and 24 hours of travel, but that includes at least one stop.
Most routes involve connections through hubs such as:
Dubai
Singapore
Doha
Qantas wants to eliminate that stop entirely.
The expected London to Sydney non stop flight time will be approximately:
21 to 22 hours
The aircraft will travel roughly 10,573 miles (17,000 km) between the UK and Australia in a single continuous journey.
That will make the Qantas London to Sydney direct flight the longest scheduled commercial passenger flight ever operated.
For comparison:
London to Perth (currently Qantas’ longest route) takes about 17 hours
Singapore to New York takes around 18 hours
This new route pushes commercial aviation into an entirely new ultra-long-haul category.
Plane Fact
Distance: 10,573 miles
Flight time: ~22 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000ULR
Airline: Qantas
Launch: 2027
The Aircraft Making the London to Sydney Qantas Route Possible
Operating flights this long requires a very specific aircraft.
Qantas will use the Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) a specially adapted version of Airbus’ newest long-haul jet.
The airline ordered 12 of these aircraft, designed specifically for extreme long-distance routes like London to Sydney and Sydney to New York direct flights.
Key features include:
Additional fuel capacity, including a 20,000-litre extra tank
Highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent engines
Advanced aerodynamics designed for ultra-long flights
Without these modifications, a Qantas London to Sydney direct route simply wouldn’t be possible.
The first aircraft are expected to be delivered towards the end of 2026, with passenger flights expected to begin in 2027.
Designed for 22 Hours in the Air
Spending nearly an entire day on an aircraft requires serious attention to passenger comfort.
Rather than maximising seat numbers, Qantas has opted for a more spacious layout.
The aircraft will carry 238 passengers across four cabins:
6 First Class suites
52 Business Class suites
40 Premium Economy seats
140 Economy seats
For comparison, many airlines fit 300 or more passengers into the same aircraft type.
Reducing passenger numbers gives travellers more personal space, something passengers will definitely appreciate on a 22-hour London to Sydney flight.
The aircraft will also offer high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the cabin, allowing passengers to stay connected even on one of the longest flights in the world.
If you're continuing your journey around Asia afterwards, you might also want to read my Scoot 787 review from Sydney to Singapore, which shows how ultra-long-haul travel can quickly turn into budget airline reality.
A Wellness Zone at 35,000 Feet
One of the more unusual additions onboard will be a dedicated wellness area.
Located between cabins, this space is designed to help passengers stay comfortable during such a long journey.
Travellers will be able to:
Stretch during the flight
Follow guided movement exercises
Access refreshments designed to help maintain hydration
Screens will display simple stretching routines designed to reduce stiffness during the journey.
There will also be support handles installed to help passengers safely move and stretch during the flight.
It’s an unusual concept, essentially a small movement area built into the aircraft cabin, but one that could make a real difference on a 22-hour journey.
Fighting Jet Lag on Ultra Long Flights
Jet lag is one of the biggest challenges when travelling such long distances.
To help reduce the impact, Qantas partnered with researchers at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to study how flight environments influence sleep and fatigue.
Several features are designed to help passengers adjust more easily to new time zones, including:
Special circadian lighting systems
Carefully timed meal services
Lighting tones designed to mimic natural daylight patterns
The aim is to help passengers arrive feeling more refreshed after the long journey between London and Sydney.
If you're curious how other long-haul airlines compare, you can also read my review of China Southern Airlines Business Class.
The London–Australia Journey Has Come a Long Way
Flying between the UK and Australia hasn’t always been the relatively straightforward long-haul journey we know today.
In the early decades of commercial aviation, travelling from London to Australia was a genuine expedition.
Flights on the historic Kangaroo Route often required multiple stops across Asia and the Middle East so aircraft could refuel.
Passengers sometimes spent several days completing the journey, with overnight stays along the way before continuing the trip.
Today, advances in aircraft technology mean the same journey will soon be completed in around 22 hours on a single flight.
It’s one of the clearest examples of how far commercial aviation has progressed over the past century.
Arriving in Sydney
When passengers finally land, they will arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Australia’s busiest international gateway.
If you're passing through the airport soon, you can read my full review of the Plaza Premium Lounge Sydney to see whether it’s worth visiting before your flight.
And if you're preparing for a journey this long, I also recommend reading my guide to long haul flight essentials, covering the travel gear and comfort tricks that make ultra-long flights much easier.
What to Bring with You on a Long Haul Flight
Final Boarding Call
The upcoming London to Sydney Qantas flights represent one of the most ambitious developments in modern aviation.
A 22-hour non-stop journey between the UK and Australia would have sounded impossible not long ago.
But with new aircraft technology and a focus on passenger wellbeing, it’s about to become reality.
And for aviation geeks like me?
It may be one of the most exciting long-haul route launches in decades.
Because soon you’ll be able to board a plane in London…
…and wake up in Sydney the next day without ever leaving the aircraft.
Not bad for a journey that once took several days.
FAQ: London to Sydney Qantas Flights
When will Qantas launch the London to Sydney direct flight?
Qantas plans to launch its London to Sydney direct flights in 2027 as part of the airline’s Project Sunrise programme. The route will be operated using specially designed Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, capable of flying ultra-long distances without refuelling stops.
How long is the London to Sydney flight time?
The expected London to Sydney flight time on the new Qantas non-stop service will be around 21 to 22 hours, making it the longest commercial passenger flight in the world.
Will Sydney to London flights also be direct?
Yes. The route will operate both directions, meaning travellers will be able to fly Sydney to London direct as well as London to Sydney without needing a stopover in Asia or the Middle East.
What aircraft will operate the Qantas London to Sydney flights?
The flights will use the Airbus A350-1000ULR, a long-range version of the A350 designed specifically for ultra-long routes like Qantas London to Sydney and Sydney to New York.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading London to Sydney Qantas Flights: The 22-Hour Direct Route Taking Off in 2027.
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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