How To Book Qantas Project Sunrise Flights Using Points

Close to nine years after the plan was first unveiled, Qantas has finally confirmed London as the first destination for its long-awaited Project Sunrise flights. From October 2027, travellers will be able to fly non-stop from Sydney to London on what will become the world's longest passenger flight.

While Project Sunrise bookings won't open until next year, now is actually the perfect time to start planning. Qantas' non-stop Sydney to London flights are expected to become one of the most sought-after reward flights in Qantas Frequent Flyer history, with demand for business and first class seats likely to far exceed supply.

The good news is that unlike most new airline routes, we already know how many Qantas Points these flights should cost. That gives savvy frequent flyers a rare opportunity to start collecting points long before the scramble for reward seats begins.

If you're hoping to book a Project Sunrise reward seat using Qantas Points, or indeed one of Qantas' A350 trial flights, here's everything you need to know.

Business class on the Qantas A350-1000ULR

Can I Book Project Sunrise Flights With Qantas Points?

Subject to availability, Classic Flight Rewards will be available on Project Sunrise flights. With cash tickets for the new non-stop Sydney to London route expected to go on sale in February 2027, we would expect reward seats to be released around the same time.

However, the bigger question isn't whether Project Sunrise flights can be booked with points, it's whether you'll actually be able to find a seat.

Even today, locating Classic Reward seats on Qantas-operated flights to London can be notoriously difficult, particularly in premium cabins. With limited flights and enormous interest surrounding the launch period, finding a Project Sunrise reward flight may prove harder than surviving the 22-hour journey itself.

When Do Project Sunrise Flights Go On Sale?

Qantas has indicated that Project Sunrise bookings are expected to open in February 2027, approximately eight months before the inaugural flight departs Sydney.

While that is still a long way off, securing a reward seat on the world's longest passenger flight is unlikely to be easy. So, now is the perfect time to accumulate points, monitor announcements and prepare for the booking window to open.

Qantas' first Airbus A350-1000ULR successfully completed its maiden test flight in June 2026

How Many Qantas Points Do I Need For Project Sunrise Flights?

Although Qantas has not yet loaded Project Sunrise flights into its booking system, we already know how many points these flights should cost.

Qantas uses a distance-based Classic Flight Reward table to price all Qantas-operated reward flights. Using the Great Circle Mapper tool, Sydney to London Heathrow measures 10,573 miles, while Sydney to New York JFK comes in at 9,950 miles. This places both Project Sunrise routes in Zone 10, the highest distance band on the current Qantas Classic Reward chart.

Great Circle Mapper can be used to determine flight distance

Based on the current award table, here's how many Qantas Points you'll need for a one-way Project Sunrise Classic Flight Reward:

• Economy: 63,500 Qantas Points + taxes
• Premium Economy: 124,700 Qantas Points + taxes
• Business: 166,300 Qantas Points + taxes
• First: 249,400 Qantas Points + taxes

Project Sunrise flights fall into Zone 10 on the Qantas Classic Reward table

Of course, these rates assume Qantas does not make any changes to its Classic Flight Reward table before Project Sunrise bookings open. As the most recent Qantas Frequent Flyer devaluation took place in August 2025, these rates are somewhat safe to bet on.

Passengers should also expect to pay taxes, airport charges and carrier fees in addition to the points required. We don’t yet know exactly what the cash component will be.

How Many Qantas Points To Fly The A350 On Other Routes?

Before entering service on Project Sunrise routes, Qantas will operate its Airbus A350-1000ULR on shorter services. These flights are designed to allow pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff to get a feel for new aircraft, and will likely attract significant interest from passengers keen to experience Qantas' new product before the inaugural Sydney-London flight.

These routes are widely expected to be between Sydney and Melbourne, Auckland and Los Angeles. While Qantas has not yet made its A350 test routes available for booking, the aircraft's premium cabins are likely to attract significant interest from frequent flyers keen to experience the new product before the inaugural Sydney-London flight.

Using the current Classic Flight Reward table, here's how many Qantas Points you would need for a one-way reward seat on these trial routes. Just like all Qantas Classic Rewards, there will be an additional cash co-payment to cover the taxes.

Sydney - Melbourne:

• Economy: 9,200 pts
• Premium Economy: 14,500 pts
• Business: 19,300 pts
• First: 29,000 pts

Sydney - Auckland:

• Economy: 20,700 pts
• Premium Economy: 32,600 pts
• Business: 43,600 pts
• First: 65,300 pts

Sydney - Los Angeles:

• Economy: 48,200 pts
• Premium Economy: 97,600 pts
• Business: 130,100 pts
• First: 195,400 pts

Qantas' new First Class product will debut on the A350

Now Is Your Chance To Earn Qantas Points For Project Sunrise

With Project Sunrise flights expected to go on sale in February 2027, you still have plenty of time to prepare.

Many readers will be eyeing a Business Class Classic Reward on Qantas’ incoming non-stop Sydney to London and New York flights. As mentioned, this redemption is expected to cost 166,300 Qantas Points, and it could take some planning to earn that balance.

Credit card sign-up bonuses remain one of the simplest ways to earn large quantities of Qantas Points. But just like this redemption, they also require planning, as most offers require cardholders to meet a minimum spending target before bonus Qantas Points are awarded. In many cases, those bonus points may not arrive in your account for two or three months after applying.

For small business owners, the current offer on the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card is rather strong. You can earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points plus $200 in your Qantas Business Rewards Travel Fund when you apply by 6 October 2026, are approved, and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.

For more ways to earn, check out our guide to earning Qantas Points.

Will Qantas Launch A Project Sunrise Points Plane?

One interesting possibility is whether Qantas chooses to celebrate Project Sunrise with a dedicated Points Plane.

For those unfamiliar, a Points Plane is a special Qantas flight where every seat is available to book using Qantas Points. The airline has previously operated Points Planes to destinations including London, Japan, Hong Kong, and even the inaugural Perth to Rome service.

Given the significance of Project Sunrise, the first Sydney-London service would be a natural candidate. A dedicated Points Plane would also generate significant publicity, continuing Qantas' long-running habit of turning Project Sunrise into a marketing story.

Summing Up: My Take

Project Sunrise is shaping up to become one of the most desirable and difficult reward bookings Qantas has ever offered. While you can’t actually make a booking on these non-stop services until February 2027, now is a great time to get planning.

For travellers hoping to experience the world's longest passenger flight using points, the best strategy is simple. Start planning early, build your points balance now and be ready to act quickly when Classic Rewards drop.