The 777-8 will have the range with only a slightly lower capacity but a larger amount compared to the A359ULR. This is a major advantage for the B777-8. Still not the amount as the MTOW of the B777-8. The A350ULR has onky a slightly higher MTOW.

But the kicker is they will have to limit their capacity just the same to get the range. “Airbus has given us an extra month to lock in an aircraft order without impacting our planned start date, which means we can spend more time on hopefully reaching a deal with our pilots,” Joyce said.This is where you fail to understand that another airline, Singapore airlines, will be using the A359ULR on WSSS-KJFK. The most recent research flight from London to Sydney lasted a little more than 19 hours and still had 13,900 pounds of fuel upon landing, or enough for an additional hour and 45 minutes of flight time. This is the right choice for the Sunrise missions and it also has the right economics to do other long haul routes if we want it to,” Joyce said.Ī final Project Sunrise research flight from New York to Sydney is scheduled for December 17, and will provide Qantas with nearly 60 hours of Sunrise experience once completed. “The aircraft and engine combination is next generation technology but it’s thoroughly proven after more than two years in service.

The aircraft will be powered by the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engine, and will require an additional fuel tank along with a slightly increased maximum takeoff weight to fly the Sunrise routes. While no orders for the A350-1000 have been placed yet, Qantas is in discussion with Airbus regarding modifications to the airframe that would need to occur to make Project Sunrise a reality. Qantas is offering a pay increase to prospective Project Sunrise pilots, but needs to close the business case on the routes before committing to a contract for the A350-1000.Īt the regulatory level, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has “provisionally advised that it sees no regulatory obstacles to the Sunrise flights.”

On November 15th, Qantas pilots completed a non-stop Project Sunrise research flight from London to Sydney in 19 hours and 19 minutes.

777x qantas