Qantas Replacing Largest Passenger Aircraft in the World with A350 on These Routes

SYDNEY— Australian flag carrier Qantas (QF) is preparing to introduce the Airbus A350-1000 on key international routes as part of a gradual retirement plan for its Airbus A380-800 fleet. The airline will launch the new aircraft on services to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in early 2030.

The flag carrier currently operates 10 Airbus A380s on routes including Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), via Singapore, as well as to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX). From FY32, Qantas will begin phasing out its A380s in favor of the A350-1000, which will serve as the new flagship for ultra-long-haul flights, Executive Traveller reported.

Photo: Airbus A350-1000 F-WMIL Airbus Test Hybrid Qantas | LFMP / P… | Flickr

Qantas to Replace A380 with A350

Qantas has confirmed that the Airbus A350-1000 will gradually take over its most prestigious routes, including direct services from Sydney to London and New York under the airline’s “Project Sunrise” initiative.

While the A380 offers 485 seats across four classes, the A350-1000 will carry just 238 passengers, reflecting its configuration geared toward comfort, premium travel demand, and ultra-long-range operations.

The smaller capacity is expected to be offset by strong demand for nonstop flights, particularly on routes linking Australia’s East Coast to Europe and the United States.

These direct flights will save travelers several hours compared with current one-stop itineraries, making them highly attractive for both business and leisure passengers.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Fleet Renewal Strategy

Qantas operates a mixed widebody fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The Airbus A350-1000, along with incoming Boeing 787-10s from 2028, will serve as the backbone of the carrier’s future international network.

The A350s replacing the A330s will be configured for medium-haul routes without a first-class cabin, while Project Sunrise A350s will retain a full-service layout, including new first-class “roomettes,” upgraded business suites, and refreshed premium economy and economy cabins.

Current Qantas Widebody Fleet:

• Airbus A380-800: 10 in service
• Airbus A350-1000: 12 on order
• Airbus A330-200: 16 in service
• Airbus A330-300: 13 in service (including Finnair wet-lease), 1 on order
• Boeing 787-9: 14 in service, 4 on order
• Boeing 787-10: 8 on order

The removal of the “Wellbeing Zone,” once planned for Project Sunrise A350s, has been confirmed. Instead, Qantas will increase the number of economy seats on board to maximize revenue while maintaining premium product standards in other cabins, Simple Flying reported.

Photo: Qantas

Nonstop Links to Europe and the US

Qantas first revealed Project Sunrise in 2017, selecting the Airbus A350-1000 after initially considering the Boeing 777-8X. The project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it remains central to the airline’s long-term growth strategy.

Currently, Qantas operates nonstop services between Perth Airport (PER) and London Heathrow (LHR), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and seasonal flights to Rome Fiumicino (FCO). The A350 will expand nonstop connectivity further, with Sydney and Melbourne poised to gain direct links to both London and New York, eliminating the traditional stopover in Asia or the Middle East.

During the pandemic, Qantas temporarily operated nonstop services from Darwin (DRW) to London before returning operations to Perth. The A350 introduction will restore that same pioneering spirit, this time with longer-range and more efficient aircraft designed to bridge the distances that once required multiple stops.

Photo: Qantas

What This Means for Passengers

For travelers, the Airbus A350-1000 represents a shift toward fewer but longer flights. The aircraft will feature larger windows, lower cabin altitude, and better humidity control compared to the A380, improving passenger comfort on 18-20 hour journeys.

Business class suites and new-generation first class cabins will appeal to premium travelers, while expanded economy seating capacity will balance affordability with range.

By 2030, Qantas aims to be one of the few airlines operating nonstop flights between Australia and both Europe and North America on a consistent basis.

This positions the carrier strongly in the ultra-long-haul market, reinforcing its brand as the “Flying Kangaroo” that connects Australians directly to the world’s major destinations.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

The post Qantas Replacing Largest Passenger Aircraft in the World with A350 on These Routes appeared first on Aviation A2Z.