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Project Sunrise will take over the iconic QF1 and QF2 flight numbers when services to London begin next year.
QF1 and QF2, which are currently used for Sydney to London flights via Singapore, will be switched to the non-stop A350-1000ULR flights on their launch in October 2027. It comes as flight tests continue on the first Project Sunrise aircraft.
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“The Kangaroo Route first began flying from Sydney – London in 1947, when the journey took four days and seven stops. For almost 80 years, generations of Qantas aircraft, from the Lockheed Constellation to the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, have brought Sydney and London closer together,” the Flying Kangaroo said in a press release.
“Through it all, QF1 and QF2, our most iconic flight number pair, have long been associated with that journey and a key part of Qantas’ history.
“In October 2027, that journey becomes non-stop with the launch of Project Sunrise, saving customers up to four hours in travel time compared to the existing service.
“Qantas’ existing Sydney to London via Singapore service will continue to operate with new flight numbers, QF5 and QF6, for customers who want a stopover. The seasonal Qantas Perth-Rome services currently operating as QF5 and QF6 will move to QF105 and QF106.”
Project Sunrise services will also launch to New York City in 2028, with tickets for the 18-hour flights from Sydney to the Big Apple set to go on sale in August next year.
“Project Sunrise flights will be operated by specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, fitted with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables the aircraft to fly more than 16,000 kilometres, and up to 22 hours non-stop,” the airline said.
The 12 Project Sunrise aircraft will carry just 238 seats: six in first class, 52 in business, 40 in premium economy, and 140 in economy, including Economy Plus.
The aircraft will also include the “Wellbeing Zone” accessible to all passengers, and a new entertainment system with an on-screen “journey planner”, viewing history, movie sharing functionality, and high-speed wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
“Flying these distances is only worth doing if our customers arrive feeling their best, and that belief has shaped everything we’ve built,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson earlier this year.
“Over the past decade, working alongside experts, we’ve designed the aircraft and the onboard experience around the science of ultra long-haul travel, from the lighting to the meals to a world-first Wellbeing Zone. This is a fundamentally different way to fly.”
The first Project Sunrise aircraft is expected to be delivered in April, with further test and training flights to follow its arrival.
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