澳洲航空公司Qantas宣布将推出悉尼至伦敦的直飞航班服务[1]。根据该公司"日出计划"(Project Sunrise)，这条航线预计飞行时长为19至21小时[2]，计划从2027年10月起提供每日直飞服务[2]。
为实现这一目标，Qantas已订购12架改装空客A350-1000ULR飞机，每架配备额外20,000升燃料箱，可容纳238名乘客[2]。首架飞机的交付时间定于2027年4月[2]。该公司已通过测试验证了飞机的可行性——改装后的A350-1000ULR完成了从墨尔本至法国的创纪录测试飞行，耗时24小时24分钟，航程覆盖23,057公里，创造了商业飞机有史以来最长的直飞距离纪录[2]。
这条新航线将大幅压缩国际旅程耗时。1947年从悉尼经停多地抵达伦敦的"袋鼠航线"需耗时五天[2]，而新航线实现了单程直飞。目前，新加坡航空运营全球最长定期商业航线——新加坡至纽约，飞行时长约19小时[2]。
Qantas has unveiled plans to launch a groundbreaking non-stop service between Sydney and London, marking a significant expansion of ultra-long-haul aviation.[1] The airline's modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft completed a record-breaking test flight, traveling from Melbourne to France in 24 hours and 24 minutes while covering 23,057 kilometers—the longest direct flight distance ever flown by a commercial aircraft.[2] This achievement surpassed the previous record of 21,601.7 kilometers, which had stood since 2005 when a Boeing 777-200LR set the benchmark.[2]
The new service is part of Qantas's "Project Sunrise" initiative, which aims to operate the world's longest regular commercial passenger routes.[2] The airline has ordered 12 modified A350 aircraft, each equipped with additional fuel tanks holding 20,000 liters and configured to carry 238 passengers.[2] The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in April 2027, with daily direct flights between Sydney and London commencing in October 2027.[2] The journey is projected to take between 19 and 21 hours,[2] dramatically reducing what was once a five-day journey on the 1947 "Kangaroo Route."[2] Singapore Airlines currently operates the world's longest regular commercial air service, with flights between Singapore and New York lasting approximately 19 hours.[2]