First A350-1000 ULR plane transported to Toulouse for final assembly
“Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world.”
Project Sunrise builds on Qantas’ historic competence in long-haul travel.
Its name comes from Qantas II. It is derived from the “Double Sunrise” flights that helped Australia maintain contact with distant allies during World War II.
The routes required 24 hours of flying, enough to stay in the air long enough for the pilots to see two sunrises.
Health zone design on Qantas A350.
The A350s will be specifically configured for ultra-long-haul flights; including a wellness zone with grab rails that passengers can use to stretch, on-screen guided exercise programs, a hydration station and lighting effects to help minimize disruption to sleep patterns.
Qantas on Wednesday unveiled plans for its revamped International Business Lounge in Sydney to feature a 150 square meter outdoor terrace for Project Sunrise passengers “in a nod to the pre-flight healthy lifestyle”.
Australia-UK and Australia-USA flights, when offered, will be the longest commercial flights in the world and will take the title from Singapore Airlines.
In August, analysts at investment bank Jarden estimated Project Sunrise could earn more than $400 million a year pre-tax for Qantas.
Qantas’ first-class cabins for Project Sunrise flights will come with a 60-centimetre-wide reclining seat and a separate two-metre-long bed.
Ten Cap portfolio manager Jun Bei Liu said Project Sunrise represented a chance for Qantas to step up its game in its product offerings to the public.
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If you look at global airline offerings over the last five years, they have evolved significantly.
“Quite frankly Qantas is not up to date on a large part of its capital expenditure,” said Liu, who is based in Sydney.
Liu said that although Qantas, like other airlines, had to weather tough years during COVID, it was indeed time for Qantas to expand its fleet.
If Project Sunrise is successful, he expects returns to increase. Liu said there was a possibility that Project Sunrise might not be successful for Qantas, but it was quite small.
Qantas’ perspective
Qantas’ net revenue in the year to 30 June 2025 rose 28 per cent to $1.61 billion, helped by strong travel demand that is expected to continue.
Underlying earnings reached $2.39 billion. Much of Qantas Group’s growth has been led by economy brand Jetstar, which recorded a 55 per cent increase in pre-tax earnings.
Hudson is working to rebuild confidence in the Qantas brand both internally and externally after the damage suffered under former CEO Alan Joyce during the chaotic COVID years.
Hudson announced the renovation of its fleet cabins, took delivery of needed narrow-body Airbus aircraft, closed Singapore-based Jetstar Asia, and redeployed these aircraft domestically.
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