Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

Twenty hours on a Qantas plane: is this the future of aviation or a fresh hell in economy?

Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jetliner (VH-ZNB) on final approach for landing
With global demand for aviation booming again post-pandemic, Qantas’ ‘Project Sunrise’ flights are back on the agenda. Photograph: Bayne Stanley/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

From late 2025, Qantas hopes to run the first of its “Project Sunrise” flights – up to 20 hours non-stop from the east coast of Australia to Europe and the US east coast.

Australia’s national carrier has trumpeted the flights as “the final frontier of aviation”, but health and industry experts hold concerns for the passenger experience and question whether eliminating a stopover will ultimately increase aircraft emissions.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.