Project Sunrise tests begin

Qantas is set to take the next step towards non-stop London – Sydney and New York – Sydney service next Friday, 18 October, with the first of three ultra-long-haul test flights to gather data on inflight passenger and crew health and wellbeing.

The flights form part of planning for Project Sunrise, Qantas’ programme to operate regular, non-stop commercial flights from the east coast of Australia, also including Brisbane and Melbourne, to the UK and US.

The three trials, which are being held over three months, will use new Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner delivery flights which instead of flying empty from Seattle to Australia will re-route to simulate the Project Sunrise paths.

Between them, the tests will represent the world’s first flight by a commercial airline direct from New York to Sydney and only the second time a commercial airline has flown direct from London to Sydney.

Each flight will have a maximum of 40 people, including crew, in order to minimise weight and give the necessary fuel range. Carbon emissions from the flights will be fully offset.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said a final decision on Project Sunrise is expected by the end of December. He added: “There’s plenty of enthusiasm, but it’s not a foregone conclusion. It’s ultimately a business decision and the economics have to stack up.”

(See also Qantas keeping up the momentum in this issue).

www.qantas.com

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