Qantas Project Sunrise flights delayed again due to supply chain issue

The long-awaited direct flights between Australia and London and New York City have been postponed again.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise, so named because the flights will last two sunrises, is now set to launch in late 2027.

The new aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR, will be built in Toulouse, France.

Qantas confirmed the delay.

“While delivery of the first aircraft has been pushed back to April 2027, the next four will follow in quick succession, putting us back on our original schedule by November,” the company said in a statement.

“We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will enable us to operate these historic ultra-long-haul flights.”

The plan was first announced in 2017 but was postponed twice.

They were last suggested before the end of 2026.

Test flights are now “weeks away”, the airline says.

Pilots also train on simulators.

Qantas says it will announce the routes and dates for the services next month.

Qantas ordered twelve A350-1000ULRs in May 2022, which will operate the first non-stop services from Australia’s east coast to New York and London.

Three aircraft are needed to fly non-stop on the routes every day.

It saves four hours of travel and eliminates layovers.

Both flights take approximately 22 hours.

Currently Qantas flies direct to London, but only from Perth – which takes around 17 hours.

A ‘well-being zone’, a dedicated exercise area, will help passengers cope with the long flight

The new aircraft will be complete with a nutritionally tailored menu and special lighting that mimics the phases of a day: from sunrise to sunset and back again.

Free WiFi and reduced seating are also among the amenities.

Prices have not yet been announced.

Airbus believes supply chain problems are the cause, the AFR reports.