Qantas Project Sunrise flights delayed again due to supply chain issue
The long-awaited direct flights between Australia and London and New York City have been delayed again.
Qantas' Project Sunrise, named because the flights will take in two sunrises, will now start at the end of 2027.
The new planes, Airbus A350-1000ULR are being built in Toulouse, France.
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Qantas' Project Sunrise, named because the flights will take in two sunrises, will now start at the end of 2027. Supplied
Qantas confirmed the delay.
"While the first aircraft delivery has shifted to April 2027, the next four will follow in quick succession, putting us back on our original schedule by November," it said in a statement.
"We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will enable us to begin operating these history-making ultra long-haul flights."
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Qantas says its "Project Sunrise" ultra long-haul economy seats will have more legroom. CNN
The plan was first announced in 2017 but has been delayed twice.
They were most recently mooted for the end of 2026.
Test flights are now "weeks away" the airline says.
Pilots are also training on simulators.
Qantas says it will announce the routes and dates for the services next month.
Qantas ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs in May 2022, which will operate the first non-stop services from the east coast of Australia to New York and London.
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Three aircraft are needed to run a daily non-stop service on the routes.
It'll shave four hours off the journey and eliminate stopovers.
Both flights will take around 22 hours.
Currently, Qantas does fly to London direct, but only from Perth - which takes around 17 hours.
A "wellbeing zone", a dedicated space for movement, will help passengers deal with the long flight.
The new plane will be complete with a nutritionally designed menu. Nine
The new plane will be complete with a nutritionally designed menu and special lighting that mimics the phases of a day - from sunrise to sunset and back again.
Free wifi and fewer seats are also among the features.
Prices have not yet been revealed.
According to Airbus, supply chain issues are to blame, the AFR reported.
The A350-1000 is the all-new aircraft from Airbus, fit with an extra fuel tank and the latest technology that uses 25 per cent less petrol.
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