You could soon be flying Sydney London non stop, with Qantas exploring a new, super-long haul flight.
The Australian carrier is also expected to open a Sydney New York direct flight in the coming years as well.
Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas, is weighing up a decision on the flights in 2019.
He says Qantas could be operating the world’s longest distance commercial flights by 2022.
“The purpose of Qantas was overcoming the tyranny of distance,” he told Sydney media.
The Perth London direct flight, a 17-hour journey, has been in place since March 2018.
Sydney London direct? Aircraft technology needed.
Qantas will need to investigate it’s technological options to pull of Sydney to London or Sydney to New York non-stop.
The working name for the long-haul investigation and implementation is called, ‘Project Sunrise’.
There are two new aircraft designs on the way.
The first is the Airbus A350-900ULR, capable of flying more than 20 hours and had a range of up to 9,700 nautical miles. This aircraft has already entered service with Singapore Airlines taking charge of a fleet.
Singapore Airlines operates a Singapore New York direct flight with the aircraft.
The other option is Boeings 777-8X aircraft, projected to take to the skies in late 2019, with airlines like Cathay Pacific and Emirates.
The aircraft is capable of flying 7,600 nautical miles and is starting to roll off the production line.
Cost of a Flight?
The Qantas Perth London flight is proving popular, with business travellers and holiday makers alike.
Cheapest economy flights are around the $2,000 mark for the 17-hour journey, return.
Depending on demand, the Sydney London or Sydney New York flights would be around the same or slightly more.
Video: Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Qantas
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