Project Sunrise: New Airbus jets for Qantas’ ultra long-haul New York, London direct flights delayed again
Qantas’ direct, ultra long-haul flights between Australia’s east coast and New York and London have again been delayed, with the specialised jets it requires held up by supply chain problems.
Qantas’ long-awaited direct, ultra long-haul flights between Australia and New York and London have again been delayed, with the specialised jets it requires held up by supply chain problems.
The national carrier first announced plans to introduce non-stop routes between Sydney/Melbourne, the Big Apple and the English capital in 2017, describing its Project Sunrise operation as “the final frontier of aviation”.
Qantas had initially planned to buy 12 A350-1000s to operate the flights for delivery in 2023 but COVID-19 hit, pushing the target out to 2025, then the end of calendar 2026.
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The Netherlands-headquartered company largely attributed the schedule slippage to the impact of supply chain issues, believed to be the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The first jet is currently being painted with the airline’s Flying Kangaroo livery, in a French workshop, before work completion of the four-class layout and engines installation begins.
“Preparations for the test aircraft’s first flight are also at an advanced stage, with it ready to take to the skies in the coming weeks,” Airbus said.
“This will mark the start of a two-month flight test programme focussed primarily on the modified fuel system, which will enable non-stop flights of up to 22 hours.”
A Qantas spokesman acknowledged the further delay, but added the next four jets would “follow in quick succession, putting us back on our original schedule by November”.
He said pilot training was well underway at the ASX-listed company’s new A350 simulator in Sydney.
“And next month we’ll announce the first route and timing of our inaugural commercial services,” he said.
“When these services take off, passengers will save up to four hours off the journey.
“We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will enable us to begin operating these history-making ultra long-haul flights.”
Qantas said three aircraft were needed to run a daily non-stop service on either route.
The project codename is a nod to the world’s longest flight of 32 hours between Perth and Colombo in WWII.
The search for the world’s longest-ranged aircraft pitted the A350-1000 against Boeing’s 777X, with the Airbus design winning out in 2019 after new manning agreements with the airline’s pilots were signed off.
