Qantas has finally put a date on its second Project Sunrise route: nonstop Sydney to New York flights will begin in mid-2028, with tickets on sale from August 2027. It'll be the first time Australia and New York have ever been linked without a connection, and at 9,950 miles it lands just behind Qantas' Sydney–London service (launching October 2027) as the world's second longest flight.
The timings are the real news. Expect roughly 18 hours eastbound to New York and around 20 hours back to Sydney — the westbound leg eats up most of a day. Compared with today's fastest one-stop options, the nonstop trims about three hours off the trip. Qantas has flown the Sydney–New York route since 1958, back when its round-the-world service hopped through Fiji, Honolulu and San Francisco; today it runs daily via Auckland on 787-9s, and that one-stop option isn't going anywhere.
The aircraft makes this possible: a special long-range version of the Airbus A350-1000 with extra fuel tanks and a higher maximum takeoff weight. Qantas has 12 on order, but needs five before the New York route can start — two per route plus a spare, since London and New York will each consume two airframes.
The cabin setup is unusually generous for an ultra-long-haul workhorse: just 238 seats across four cabins, including six first class suites, 52 business seats with doors, 40 premium economy seats and 140 in economy. Economy pitch runs 32-34 inches, slightly above the long-haul norm, and every plane gets free fast Wi-Fi via Viasat. There's also a dedicated Wellbeing Zone — part of a design process Qantas says was built around sleep science, lighting and meal timing to help passengers land in decent shape.
One catch: expect to pay for it. Qantas is reportedly targeting fares around 20% above connecting itineraries, and the market will decide whether that premium sticks.
Is 20 hours in a seat actually better than stretching your legs in Auckland or LA? In first or business, it's a no-brainer. In the back, it's a genuine question — but for travellers who loathe connections, or who've lost bags and missed flights mid-journey, the appeal of boarding once and being done is obvious. Just mark your calendar: sales open August 2027, flying starts mid-2028.
