Glimpse of Qantas long-haul jet to New York and London
Qantas has offered a first look at its first specially configured aircraft that will fly Australians non-stop to London and New York in 2027.
The A350-1000ULR, along with its fuselage sections, wings and landing gear, is on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France, the airline said on Friday.
The aircraft will soon be transferred to a new hangar where its engines and instruments will be installed for test flights in 2026.
Qantas has ordered a dozen aircraft for “Project Sunrise,” which plans to connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York with non-stop flights for the first time.
The 22-hour flights will reduce total travel time by up to four hours compared to existing one-stop services.
The airline released the footage ahead of its annual general meeting in Brisbane on Friday.
“This is an aircraft that will transform what is possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel,” CEO Vanessa Hudson told shareholders, according to a copy of her pitch filed with the ASX.
“Our teams are incredibly excited for the arrival of the first aircraft late next year, a milestone for international aviation.”
There was also less positive news for the nation’s largest carrier.
Qantas said it expected domestic revenue to grow by around three per cent in the first half, which was at the lower end of the guidance range it provided in August.
Demand for leisure travel remains strong, but businesses outside the resource sector are flying less than expected, the company said.
International revenue forecast remains unchanged at two to three per cent and growth of the Qantas Loyalty program remains strong and on track.
Qantas also said on Friday it would introduce a new cabin product that will give passengers extra legroom, priority boarding and priority access to overhead luggage space on domestic and short-haul flights.
Qantas Economy Plus will be available to purchase from February, giving free access to senior frequent flyers.
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