SYDNEY — Qantas Airways plans to launch a nonstop flight between London and Sydney with a scheduled flight time ranging from 19 to 22 hours. The inaugural London-Sydney service is scheduled to commence in October 2027.

Qantas ordered 12 customized Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft to operate the route, which covers a distance of 17,015 kilometers. The first modified Airbus A350-1000 has completed its initial test flight, and aircraft deliveries to Qantas are scheduled to begin next year. The additional fuel tank on these aircraft has a capacity of 20,000 liters, which extends the operational range by approximately 1,000 nautical miles.

The nonstop service will reduce travel time by up to four hours compared to connecting flights. Qantas will open ticket sales for the direct flights in February, and fares for these flights will exceed prices for itineraries that include a connection in Singapore. The Qantas A350-1000ULR configuration accommodates 238 total passengers, compared to a standard Airbus A350-1000, which can hold up to 480 passengers. The aircraft layout allocates 140 seats to the economy cabin and features a wellness zone situated between the economy and premium economy sections.

Vanessa Hudson, chief executive officer of Qantas Airways, said. "I hope that Australians will be very proud of what Qantas, their national carrier, has done. This is a test of the ingenuity within the organisation, the capability of the organisation. But it's also about Australian character of being able to really have a mission and go after it." Lars Wagner, chief executive officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said. "We see ourselves as a technology leader, as an innovator leader in the industry. We wanted to take up the challenge that Qantas put on us."

Qantas intends to introduce a direct Sydney to New York route after the London service launches. That route will cover 16,013 kilometers. Singapore Airlines currently operates a regularly scheduled direct flight connecting Singapore to New York City, covering 15,349 kilometers in under 19 hours.