Qantas Airways has confirmed it will launch the world’s first non-stop passenger flights between Sydney and London in October 2027 as part of its long-awaited Project Sunrise.

Axar.az reports, citing Australian media, the airline announced the milestone after unveiling its first Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft in Qantas livery at Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France.

The new service will eliminate the final stop on the historic “Kangaroo Route,” which Qantas first operated in 1947 with seven stops between Australia and the United Kingdom. The direct flight is expected to cut travel times by up to four hours compared with current one-stop routes.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson called the launch a historic moment for Australian aviation.

“Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we’re taking out the last one,” Hudson said.

The specially designed A350-1000ULR aircraft will be capable of flying more than 16,000 kilometres and staying airborne for up to 22 hours. Qantas plans to receive 12 aircraft for Project Sunrise operations.

The airline said tickets for the inaugural Sydney-London flights are expected to go on sale in February 2027, with Sydney-New York planned as the next Project Sunrise route.