Qantas has postponed the launch of its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights to early 2027 due to ongoing delivery delays of the Airbus A350-1000. The airline expects to receive its first A350-1000 in late 2026, pushing back the timeline for its nonstop flights from Sydney to New York and London.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson announced the revised schedule during a media briefing in Toulouse. She confirmed that the airline is expecting the first of its 24 modified A350-1000s by the end of 2026. However, she explained that Qantas needs at least three of these aircraft in its fleet before it can operate daily flights on the planned ultra-long-haul routes. As a result, the carrier does not anticipate launching Project Sunrise until the spring of 2027.
“Then, as the other aircraft come on, we’ll be able to fill out the network,” Hudson said, without specifying further routes.
The delays stem from certification issues with Airbus. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) required the manufacturer to modify the A350-1000’s fuel tanks, which postponed the model’s certification until June 2024. This setback directly affected Qantas’ plans, as the carrier relies on the updated jets to operate the record-breaking flights.
Fleet Expansion Plans Continue Despite Delays
Even with the delay, Qantas is continuing to grow its fleet. The airline has orders for 24 A350-1000s, 24 A220-300s, 43 A320neos, seven A321neos, 17 A321LRs, and 40 A321XLRs. The first deliveries of the A321XLR are expected in 2025.
Qantas is also expanding its Boeing fleet. The airline plans to introduce eight 787-10s and four 787-9s in the coming years. The new aircraft will be allocated between Qantas and its subsidiaries, Jetstar Airways and Cobham Aviation Services Australia – Airline Services.
While the revised timeline pushes back the launch, Qantas remains committed to Project Sunrise. The airline still plans to offer direct flights from Sydney to both New York and London once the necessary A350-1000s are in service. The project, which aims to reduce travel times by eliminating stopovers, is expected to transform long-haul travel once it finally takes off in 2027.
