Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) said it will begin operating direct flights between Sydney and London in October 2027 as part of its "Project Sunrise" program, using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft designed for ultra long-haul travel of up to 22 hours, according to a Wednesday statement by the company.

The new service will eliminate decades of stopover-based "Kangaroo Route" operations, reduce travel times by up to four hours compared with current one-stop flights, and advance the airline's shift toward direct connectivity between Australia's east coast and Europe.

The 238-seat A350s with extended range are part of a 12-aircraft order, with sales opening in February 2027 and future expansion planned to routes including Sydney to New York.