Qantas Uses Perth–Rome Route as Real-World Test Ahead of Project Sunrise Ultra-Long-Haul Flights

Qantas Airways is using its seasonal Perth–Rome route as a strategic operational and market test ahead of its ambitious Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to operate the world’s longest nonstop commercial flights connecting Australia’s East Coast with major global hubs like London and New York. By extending the current Perth–Rome service and increasing frequencies this summer season, Qantas is gathering crucial data on passenger demand and logistics to support its upcoming ultra-long-haul plans involving the Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft.

Project Sunrise involves nonstop flights that will cover unprecedented distances of more than 10,500 miles from Sydney to London and nearly 10,000 miles from Sydney to New York. To achieve these ultra-long distances, Airbus has developed a specialized version of its A350-1000 called the A350-1000ULR, featuring extended range capabilities. Qantas has ordered 12 of these aircraft for the program, which has experienced delays from an initial 2025 launch to now expecting delivery beginning in 2027 due to production and supply chain challenges.

The Perth–Rome route, launched initially as a seasonal service in June 2022, has exceeded expectations with load factors consistently above 90%. It marks a return to Rome for Qantas, a destination it last served in 2003 but has been connected to since 1948 as part of the historic Kangaroo Route. This seasonal flight not only serves passengers originating from Western Australia but also attracts significant connecting traffic from Australia’s populous East Coast, demonstrating robust demand for direct ultra-long-haul flights between Australia and secondary European cities.

Qantas has responded to this strong market performance by extending the route's seasonal operation by eight weeks and increasing flights from three to four per week through the peak summer months. The extra flights add nearly 10,000 seats capacity on the Perth–Europe corridor, bringing total capacity to around 300,000 seats. This growing volume supports Qantas' rationale that non-stop ultra-long-haul services from eastern Australia to Europe beyond the initially announced destinations could be commercially viable in the future.

The success of these flights also ties into infrastructure developments at Perth Airport, which functions as a key hub for Qantas’ longest range flights. After a protracted dispute, Qantas and Perth Airport agreed in 2024 on a $3 billion long-term upgrade plan focused on consolidating Qantas operations at the Airport Central Terminal 1 precinct and building a parallel runway. Meanwhile, upgrades to the existing Terminal 3 and 4 facilities are underway to accommodate the Airbus A350-1000ULR and support increasing passenger numbers.

Qantas' Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR aircraft will feature a tailored, low-density cabin layout emphasizing passenger comfort for journeys of up to 22 hours. Rather than the typical 400 seats on a standard A350-1000, Qantas' configuration includes just 238 seats across four classes, with six first class suites, 52 business class suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. The cabin design has been informed by health research to optimize wellbeing, including dedicated crew rest areas and lighting to aid circadian rhythm adjustment.

The operational experience gained from managing the ultra-long-haul Perth–Rome flights—including passenger demand profiles, turnaround handling, and intercontinental connectivity—provides essential groundwork for the more technically challenging and lengthier Project Sunrise routes. It allows Qantas to validate assumptions about onboard service, flight duration tolerances, and optimal cabin configurations prior to the arrival of its new fleet.

Having proven demand for nonstop routes beyond the Eastern Australian gateway through Perth, Qantas’ ongoing Perth–Rome operation validates the business case for future nonstop flights directly connecting Sydney and Melbourne to Europe, an objective at the core of Project Sunrise’s mandate. The airline’s extensions and expansions on this corridor reveal careful preparation towards finally launching nonstop services via the cutting-edge A350-1000ULR aircraft within the next few years.