Qantas Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul aircraft hit by delay
Airbus supply-chain issues pushed the first A350-1000ULR back four months, while Qantas says the next four deliveries should stay on schedule.
- Qantas announced the first A350-1000ULR delivery is delayed until April 2027, a setback for the airline's long-haul Project Sunrise strategy.
- Airbus confirmed supply chain disruptions affecting its A350 schedule are driving the delay, as Project Sunrise aims to launch 22-hour non-stop flights from Australia's east coast.
- The test aircraft is currently in Toulouse, France, for painting, with test flights 'weeks away' according to Qantas; the ultra-long-haul jets feature 238 seats, the lowest count for any A350-1000.
- Despite the initial delay, Qantas expects five aircraft in its fleet by November 2027, with 'the next four will follow in quick succession,' a spokesperson stated.
- First announced in 2017, Project Sunrise relies on a fleet of 12 A350-1000ULRs to bypass stopovers; Qantas plans to announce inaugural commercial routes and timing next month.
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Project Sunrise: What to know about the Qantas London-Sydney nonstop flight – UK Times
Get Travel Insider with Simon Calder. A newsletter packed with tips, deals, inspiration, and the latest travel news Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Qantas plans to launch a nonstop service between Sydney and either London Heathrow or New York JFK by late 2027 – five years later than originally scheduled. London has always been the flagship destination for the Australian airl…
First of the 12 models A350-1000 adapted for the Australian airline will be delivered in April 2027; delay is due to the impact of problems in the supply chain, said the manufacturer
Qantas Project Sunrise faces setback over first A350 arrival
Qantas will have to wait until 2027 for the arrival of its first Project Sunrise ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000 after the European aircraft manufacturer blamed “supply chain issues” for the delay. Until recently it has been expected that Airbus would deliver Qantas’ first A350-1000ULR by the end of the year, an ambition that was recently buoyed with the emergence of a new A350 from the assembly line in Toulouse. On May 25, 2026, Bloomberg rep…
In fact, the Australian airline Qantas is expecting twelve new long-haul Airbus aircraft this year. Now it is clear that the delivery is delayed and that the planned non-stop flights from Europe to Sydney are expected to start later.
The world's largest aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, is still struggling with delivery problems. The Australian airline Qantas will now not receive the first of the twelve ordered modified A350 aircraft until April 2027, Airbus announced on Monday. Qantas had counted on delivery by the end of 2026.
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