Qantas Reveals Its A350 Business Class and First Class Cabins for Project Sunrise
This summer, Qantas gave the world a first look at the Qantas A350 Business Class and First Class cabins. And this week, the airline confirmed the news US travelers have been waiting for: nonstop Sydney–New York flights are locked in for mid-2028. The Airbus A350-1000ULR is the aircraft purpose-built for Project Sunrise, Qantas’s plan to fly nonstop between Sydney and New York (JFK). No stopover, no connection. Sydney–London launches first, in October 2027. Sydney–New York follows in mid-2028.
Once it launches, this will be one of the world’s longest commercial flights. The nonstop hop from Sydney to New York is expected to take around 18 hours, cutting roughly three hours off today’s fastest routing, which stops in Auckland. That stop disappears entirely. So if you’re flying Business or First Class on this route, what happens on board matters enormously. Qantas designed this aircraft around exactly that challenge.
Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect: the cabins, the timeline, and what’s now confirmed about the New York route.
The Qantas Plane: Built for Ultra-Long-Haul
The A350-1000ULR is a custom aircraft. Airbus built it specifically for Qantas. No other airline flies this version.
It carries only 238 passengers. That is the lowest seat density of any A350 in operation anywhere in the world. More space per person is the direct result. The first two aircraft are currently undergoing flight testing in Toulouse, France, and delivery is expected in April 2027.
That testing is already producing results: in September 2026, the first Project Sunrise aircraft completed a record-breaking 24-hour, 24-minute nonstop flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, the longest flight ever operated by a commercial airliner, and a strong signal that the aircraft is ready for the real thing.
The plane burns roughly 25% less fuel per seat than older long-haul jets. So it is also a more efficient way to fly this distance.
Qantas A350 First Class: A Suite in the Sky
There are only six First Class suites on the entire aircraft. They sit in a 1-1-1 layout at the very front of the cabin. That means maximum privacy for every passenger.
Each suite includes:
- An 80-inch fully flat bed engineered with multi-layer memory foam
- A separate reclining armchair, offering you two seating positions
- A flexible dining and work table for one or two guests
- A full-length wardrobe
- Generous storage throughout the suite
- Lighting synced to your circadian rhythm to help reduce jet lag
Qantas calls this experience closer to a boutique hotel room than a seat. That description is easy to believe when you look at the specs. The sliding door on each suite gives you complete privacy whenever you want it. You control your environment from start to finish.
The lighting system offers 12 distinct scenes. “Sunrise,” “Sunset,” and “Awake” are among them. Each scene uses science-backed adjustments to help your body clock adjust to your destination time zone. On a 22-hour flight, that makes a difference.
Qantas A350 Business Class: Privacy and Flat Beds for 52 Passengers
The Business Class cabin holds 52 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every single seat has direct aisle access. No need to climb over a seatmate at 3 a.m. over the Pacific.
Each Business Suite comes with:
- An 80-inch fully flat bed
- A sliding door for privacy (a first for Qantas Business Class)
- An adjustable divider between the center seats in the paired middle positions
- A full dining table and work surface
- Wireless charging
- Bluetooth audio connectivity
- Increased storage compared to previous Qantas aircraft
The sliding door is a significant upgrade. Business travelers on competing airlines often deal with open-style suites that feel semi-private at best. Qantas is closing that gap. You’ll get genuine seclusion when you need to sleep, and the option to connect when you want company.
The flat bed at 80 inches works out to just over 6.5 feet. That is long enough for virtually all passengers to sleep fully extended.
The Wellbeing Zone: An Industry First
Qantas is placing a dedicated Wellbeing Zone on board. It’s the first of its kind on any commercial aircraft.
The Wellbeing Zone sits between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins. The space features sculpted wall panels and mounted stretch handles for exercise. Screens display a guided movement program. There is also a hydration station to keep passengers drinking water throughout the flight.
This is not a small add-on. It is a dedicated cabin space built for passenger health on ultra-long-haul routes. No other airline has committed an entire zone solely to wellbeing. For Business and First Class passengers looking to arrive refreshed, this is a distinctive benefit.
The Journey Planner: Smart Technology for Long Flights
Every seatback screen on the A350-1000ULR loads a Journey Planner tool. It shows passengers exactly when meals are served and when the cabin dims for rest.
On a 22-hour flight, it’s a nice feature. Knowing the schedule in advance helps you plan sleep, hydrate at the right times, and use the Wellbeing Zone when it is least crowded. It is a simple feature, but a thoughtful one.
Premium Economy and Economy: More Space Than Usual
Even if you fly in the cabin behind Business, Qantas has done the math in your favor.
Premium Economy offers 40 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. Economy holds 140 seats in a 3-3-3 layout with a 33-inch pitch, which is unusually generous for this class. An additional 42 Economy Plus seats sit at the front of the economy cabin at a 34-inch pitch.
More than 70% of all seats on the aircraft offer a pitch of 33 inches or more. That makes it the most generous pitch ratio of any Qantas aircraft to date.
What This Means for US Travelers: Sydney–New York Goes Nonstop
This is what American travelers have been waiting for — and as of this week, it’s official.
Right now, flying between New York and Sydney means a stopover, usually through Auckland or Los Angeles, with total travel time running anywhere from 21 to 24 hours depending on the routing. It’s not a short trip, no matter how you cut it.
Project Sunrise changes that. Qantas confirmed on September 23, 2026, that nonstop Sydney–JFK service will launch in mid-2028, as the second Project Sunrise route after Sydney–London (October 2027). Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the nonstop flight will take passengers from Sydney to New York in around 18 hours, cutting roughly three hours off today’s fastest travel time. The flight covers about 9,942 miles (16,000 km), which makes it one of the longest nonstop commercial routes ever flown, and longer by distance than Singapore Airlines’ Singapore–New York service, which currently holds the record for the longest flight to or from the US at roughly 9,500 miles (15,300 km) and about 18 hours 40 minutes.
Sydney–London remains the first Project Sunrise route to launch and, at a greater distance, will hold the title of the world’s longest flight overall when it starts in October 2027. Sydney–JFK, arriving about eight months later, will be right behind it, and the longest nonstop flight connecting Australia to the United States by a wide margin over today’s one-stop options.
Qantas also pointed to real demand behind the decision: the airline says interest in its New York routes has nearly doubled since 2023, and US-to-Australia visitor arrivals are up 5% year over year. Willingness to book an ultra-long-haul flight has climbed too: from 58% to 70% of travelers since early 2026, and up to 80% among premium-cabin flyers specifically.
Why Nonstop Is a Game-Changer on This Route
The current Qantas JFK–Sydney service stops in Auckland. The existing itinerary runs 20 hours and 40 minutes total, not counting the Auckland layover. Even in Business Class, changing planes mid-journey means disrupting your sleep cycle, waiting in a transit lounge, and boarding again. For premium-cabin passengers, that layover erodes much of the comfort advantage.
The A350-1000ULR removes that entirely. You board in New York. You wake up approaching Sydney. The Wellbeing Zone, the Journey Planner, and the circadian lighting all work together on a single, uninterrupted flight. That is meaningfully different from the current experience.
Tickets and Timing for the New York Route
Sydney–London tickets go on sale in February 2027, with flights starting that October. Sydney–New York tickets go on sale in August 2027, roughly ten months ahead of the mid-2028 launch. Qantas hasn’t published fares for either route yet, but Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace has said Sydney–London fares are expected to run about 20% above comparable one-stop pricing (a reasonable benchmark for New York too, though nothing is confirmed). Business and First Class seats on new premium routes tend to sell quickly once they go on sale, especially during the launch period when curiosity and demand run high.
If you’re planning a trip to Australia in 2027 or 2028, keep this route in mind. Skylux will be able to book flights as soon as they’re available.
Why This Is Exciting for Business and First Class Travelers
Most long-haul Business and First Class products work fine on a 14-hour flight. A 22-hour flight is a different challenge entirely.
Qantas built this aircraft from the ground up with that challenge in mind. The extra-low seat density gives passengers more personal space. The Wellbeing Zone and Journey Planner address fatigue in ways no other airline has. The 80-inch flat beds match the best in the industry. And the lighting system uses sleep science to help your body adjust before you even land.
For travelers flying between Australia and Europe or North America, this is the most significant upgrade in premium cabin comfort in years. The Qantas A350 Business Class sets a new benchmark for the world’s longest flights.
Book Qantas A350 Business Class and First Class
Skylux Travel specializes in Business Class and First Class fares at up to 70% off published prices. We serve US-based travelers heading to Australia, Europe, and beyond, and we will have Qantas Project Sunrise fares as soon as bookings open.
If you want to fly nonstop from New York to Sydney in Business or First Class, talk to us first. In fact, you can call our travel experts to book any business class flights. Call us at 888-999-5524 and ask about our best available rates.
If You’re Interested…
- Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class: Full 2026 Review
- 7 Most Private Business Class Seats in 2026
- How to Stay Comfortable & Refreshed on Long-Haul Business Class Flights
- Lufthansa Allegris Business Class: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
- Business Class vs First Class: 5 Key Differences
Frequently Asked Questions About Qantas A350
When do Qantas Project Sunrise tickets go on sale?
Sydney–London tickets go on sale in February 2027, for an October 2027 launch. Sydney–New York tickets go on sale in August 2027, ahead of a mid-2028 launch.
When will Qantas fly nonstop from Sydney to New York?
Qantas confirmed in September 2026 that nonstop Sydney–JFK flights begin in mid-2028, as the second Project Sunrise route after Sydney–London.
How many Business Class seats are on the Qantas A350?
52 Business Class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, all with direct aisle access and a sliding door for privacy.
Does the Qantas A350 have First Class?
Yes — six enclosed First Class suites in a 1-1-1 layout, each with an 80-inch flat bed, a separate armchair, and a full wardrobe.
How long is the Qantas nonstop flight from New York to Sydney?
Around 18 hours, per Qantas, cutting about three hours off today’s fastest one-stop routing and eliminating the Auckland layover entirely.
What is the Qantas Wellbeing Zone?
A dedicated mid-cabin space with stretch handles, a guided movement program, and a hydration station — the first of its kind on any commercial aircraft.
