Everything we know about Qantas’ Project Sunrise (so far)

The aircraft will begin flying from 2027.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise is set to change the way we fly. The program is designed to link Australia directly to just about anywhere on Earth, with no stopovers required. Think non-stop from Sydney to New York or Sydney to London. At the heart of this program is a fleet of ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000ULR jets, designed for flights lasting up to 20 hours with an unprecedented focus on space, comfort and wellness.

The world’s longest flights won’t take off until at least 2027, but here’s everything we know so far about Project Sunrise – and why it’s set to be a game-changer for long-haul travel.

A sneak peek at the future of flying

Qantas A350 business class — The business-class seats are 63.5 centimetres wide.

These are not your average A350s. Qantas has spent years designing its new fleet for comfort, style and wellness on flights that last up to 20 hours.

Onboard there are six ultra-luxe enclosed first-class suites in a 1-1-1 configuration that feel more like mini apartments, with 50 per cent more space than Qantas’ A380 first-class suites. They each have a two-metre-long flat bed, a separate 55-centimetre-wide recliner chair, a personal wardrobe and even a huge 81-centimetre entertainment screen with Bluetooth audio.

The 52 business-class suites are in a 1-2-1 configuration and come with privacy doors, a 63.5-centimetre-wide seat, which folds out into a two-metre-long flat bed, a cocktail and work surface, heaps of storage and a 45-centimetre entertainment screen, five centimetres larger than in the A380.

Premium economy and economy cabins are designed with extra space – because when you’re flying 20 hours non-stop, you’re going to need it. There are 40 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout with Qantas’ most spacious seat pitch at just over one metre! They also have a calf rest for full leg cradling and 20-centimetre winged headrests. The 140 economy seats are in a 3-3-3 layout with a roomy 83-centimetre seat pitch and feature six-way adjustable headrests and a personal device shelf.

The wellbeing zone: mid-flight yoga, anyone?

Qantas' wellbeing zone A350 — Qantas’ wellbeing zone is a world-first for commercial aviation.

But the jewel in the crown? A dedicated wellbeing zone – a world-first for commercial aviation – where passengers can stretch, move and hydrate with refresh stations designed to keep jet lag at bay. Yep, Qantas is literally building a mini in-flight gym.

Designed in partnership with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, this world-first inflight space, located between economy and premium economy, is all about reducing jet lag and promoting movement on long-haul flights.

Expect guided stretching and movement content on large screens, sculpted walls and handles to aid stretching exercises, and premium self-serve refreshments designed to keep you hydrated and moving faster.

Staying connected

Qantas A350 economy — There will be high-speed wi-fi throughout the plane, including economy.

Adding another layer of appeal, Qantas has confirmed that these new A350 jets will feature complimentary, high-speed wi-fi powered by the Viasat-3 satellite network. Unlike previous systems limited to domestic flights, this next-gen service will offer connectivity across international routes – even those long-haul hops over the Pacific.

So, when can we fly?

Qantas A350 premium economy — Enjoy one metre of legroom in premium economy.

The airline’s current plan is to take delivery of the first A350s in late 2026, with Project Sunrise flights starting sometime in 2027 or 2028. Once airborne, the globe-striding aircrafts will link Sydney directly with cities previously unreachable non-stop.

With just 238 passengers spread across four cabins, the A350s promise a spacious, private, and genuinely comfortable experience – even in economy. From full-sized beds in first-class to wi-fi fast enough to stream content in the middle of the Pacific, Qantas is betting big on making long-haul flights something to look forward to.

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries-old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”