Qantas Airways has announced plans to launch the world's longest direct flight, connecting London and Sydney with a nonstop service expected to last up to 22 hours. The airline unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000 jet, which has been specially modified for this route, on Thursday. The flight will cover a distance of 17,015 kilometers (10,573 miles) starting in October next year. Currently, the longest direct flight is operated by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and New York City, covering 15,349 kilometers (9,537 miles) in under 19 hours.
Qantas' customized A350-1000ULR will accommodate 238 passengers, significantly fewer than the standard capacity of 480, with 140 seats in economy class. The airline's current longest direct flight is between London and Perth, covering 14,499 kilometers (9,009 miles) in 16 to 18 hours. Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings, noted that Qantas' economy seats on the new route would offer more legroom than many long-haul airlines. Passengers will also have access to a Wellbeing Zone for stretching and refreshments.
Tickets for the direct flights will be available for purchase in February, and Qantas anticipates that these will be priced higher than flights with a stopover in Singapore, although they will save travelers up to four hours of travel time. Petersen suggested that while business class would be a favorable option for a long flight, she would prefer shorter flights in economy class to avoid discomfort during the lengthy journey. Qantas plans to introduce a Sydney-New York direct service following the establishment of the London route.