The project is a route and aircraft programme
Project Sunrise began in 2017 as Qantas's challenge to connect eastern Australia directly with London and New York. Airbus answered with a special ultra-long-range version of the A350-1000.
Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft for the programme. The name recalls historic Qantas flights on which travellers saw two sunrises during a very long journey, but the modern plan is scheduled passenger service rather than a commemorative test.
The first flight was a certification milestone
The first production A350-1000ULR, known as MSN707, flew on 2 June 2026. That flight began a certification campaign rather than carrying paying passengers between Australia and Europe.
Airbus planned roughly two months and about 80 flight hours of testing. Engineers are checking the additional fuel system, structural changes, cabin temperature control and other systems before the variant can enter service.
Delivery and passenger service are separate dates
Airbus says a second aircraft will be the first delivered to Qantas, with delivery planned for April 2027. MSN707 is being used as the test aircraft and will be refitted into commercial configuration after the campaign.
Qantas's current fact sheet places the first non-stop Sydney to London service in October 2027. Aircraft arrival must come earlier so the airline can complete preparation, training, proving and regulatory work.
London comes before New York in the published sequence
Qantas identifies Sydney to London as the first Project Sunrise route. Sydney to New York is described as the second connection, without a passenger launch date in the current fact sheet.
That distinction matters when reading headlines that bundle both cities together. The aircraft is designed for both missions, but the published launch commitment is specifically for Sydney to London from October 2027.
What could still change
Qantas states that delivery, sales and service commencement remain subject to aircraft certification and regulatory approvals. Flight paths are also examples and can change with operational conditions.
The safest timeline is therefore: certification testing in 2026, planned first delivery in April 2027 and planned Sydney to London passenger service in October 2027. Treat those as current official plans, not guarantees beyond the stated conditions.
Sources and further reading
This article was written for Curiosity Desk. We do not copy other publishers or invent quotes. If a material error is found, we correct it openly.
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