An aviation expert has predicted that the upcoming Qantas ultra long-range Project Sunshine flights between Australia and Europe won’t replace one-stop flying.
Justin Brownjohn, senior manager, at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Aviation Academy, said airlines have historically competed on network and frequency, but Project Sunrise competes on time.
“Cutting up to four hours off the journey from Sydney to London and removing the connection entirely is a different product, not an improved version of the existing one,” he said.
“The strongest demand comes from business and premium leisure passengers who value the hours saved enough to justify a fare premium. This is where the airline margins live.
“The Australia-Europe market will always carry far more passengers on one-stop flights than direct. Choice is the product and it’s excellent marketing,” Brownjohn added.
A Qantas A350-1000ULR aircraft flew nonstop from Airbus’ manufacturing facility Toulouse, France, last week, landing in Melbourne just over 19 hours later.
The ultra long distance planes have been designed to fly up to 22 hours nonstop from Sydney to London direct, with the first flights scheduled for October 2027.
Qantas will take delivery of 12 aircraft in total, each configured with 238 seats across four cabins.
To improve the long-haul flying experience for its direct Australia to London and New York flights, Qantas in April also unveiled a wellbeing zone, designed to encourage movement, stretching and hydration.
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