Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has confirmed that Classic Reward seats will be available on Project Sunrise nonstop Sydney-London flights when bookings open in February 2026 — including first class — putting the world’s longest commercial route within reach of frequent flyers with enough points and enough patience to snag one.
Hudson was deliberate about managing expectations. Classic Reward seats will exist on Project Sunrise, but the airline won’t “flood the market” with them. Availability will be surgical, particularly in premium cabins, and not every flight will have redemption seats from day one. Bookings open roughly a year in advance, with the schedule running through January 2028.
The points pricing follows standard Qantas distance-based Classic Reward rates — no Project Sunrise surcharge applied. One-way redemptions on the A350 are priced at 227,800 points for first class, 151,800 for business class, 113,900 for premium economy, and 58,900 for economy. Classic Plus redemptions — tied to the cash fare rather than fixed rates — will make more seats available but at dramatically higher cost, with first class running upward of 850,000 points one-way.
Before the Sydney-London route launches in late October, the A350 will operate familiarisation flights to Melbourne, Auckland, and Los Angeles. Qantas is also considering a dedicated Points Plane flight where every seat is available at Classic Reward rates — a format that has performed well for the airline previously.
Why It Matters: If Project Sunrise is on your bucket list and you’re a Qantas points holder, the February booking window is your moment — and the standard redemption rates mean a business class seat on the world’s longest flight is theoretically achievable without emptying your entire points balance. Set the alarm.
Source: Using Qantas Points to Book Non-Stop Flights to London
