Qantas’ Project Sunrise, which looks to operate direct flights to the US and UK from Australia, has been delayed yet again.
The carrier’s ceo Vanessa Hudson said at an Airbus event last week that QF would now not start its ultra-long-haul flights until early 2027.
The delay reportedly comes after the delivery of the first of 12 dedicated A350-1000 aircraft was pushed back until the end of 2026, after Europe’s regulator asked Airbus to redesign a fuel tank.
. . . Tasman Trials?
Once the carrier has received the aircraft, there will still be local certification needed, as well as further trials, added Hudson, which will ensure crew become familiar with the jet.
The good news for Kiwis is that the first of these A350-1000 services are rumoured to be to New Zealand. “We’ll be doing lots of
training with our pilots and our cabin crew,” Hudson is reported as telling Executive Traveller. “So to do that, we will have that first aircraft probably flying on the Tasman to New Zealand, where it gives us a little bit of time to stretch its legs, but not too far.” Hudson says QF will need three aircraft to operate a daily service, either from Sydney to New York or Sydney to London; the first destination has yet to be decided. “Then as the other aircraft come on, we’ll be able to fill out the network,” she adds. Project Sunrise was initially expected to take flight this year.
Details on the ultra long-haul service HERE
