Qantas will launch direct Sydney-to-New York service in mid-2028 using an Airbus A350-1000ULR with an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank to reach over 16,000 kilometres and fly up to 22 hours non-stop.

A total of twelve A350-1000ULR aircraft are planned, each configured for 238 seats across four cabins—40 premium economy, 140 economy, 52 business suites, and six first-class suites designed by David Caon.

The NYC–Sydney nonstop service is the second confirmed Project Sunrise route, following Sydney-to-London, which is slated to begin in October 2027.

Executives, including CEO Vanessa Hudson, say cabin enhancements and health-focused features will reduce jet lag and help travelers arrive fresher on ultra-long journeys.

New A350 business class will feature sliding privacy panels creating enclosed suites about 3.5 feet wide, with doors nearly 4 feet tall.

The rollout includes roughly 100 premium seats across cabins and enhancements to first, business, premium economy, and coach to support longer direct routes.

The project responds to growing US–Australia travel demand, with New York-bound traffic nearly doubling since 2023, per the airline’s CEO.

Comfort features under evaluation include memory-foam mattresses over lie-flat seats and upgraded amenity kits with Grown Alchemist products and enhanced sleep gear.

Upgraded in-flight tech includes 18-inch screens, USB-A/C ports, wireless charging, and accessible power outlets.

Qantas has not disclosed ticket prices for the new routes, though prices are expected to stay under upward pressure given the premium service.

The airline aims to train over 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew for the new fleet, with projected group earnings rising by about $400 million over five years and margins improving from about 4% to 10%.

Strong demand for premium long-haul travel and historical non-stop long-haul flows, such as Perth-to-European routes, provide context for the Project Sunrise initiative.