# Qantas Shifts A350-1000ULR Strategy, Potentially Shunning Melbourne for Project Sunrise

_Jun 18 15:05_

Tags: Airbus, Qantas, Project Sunrise, Europe, London, Melbourne, New York, Sydney, loyalty program, policy change

Qantas appears to be reallocating its Airbus A350-1000ULRs, using only six for ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise routes (Sydney-London/New York) while deploying the other six for network diversification, potentially sidelining Melbourne

## Summary

Qantas has quietly shifted its strategy for the Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft ordered for its "Project Sunrise" ultra-long-haul concept. While initial plans involved operating these planes from both Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York, recent investment presentations suggest only six aircraft will be used for point-to-point ultra-long-haul flying (Sydney-London and Sydney-New York). The remaining six A350-1000ULRs are intended for "network diversification," likely replacing Boeing 787-9s on existing routes to free up Dreamliners for new destinations in South Africa, South America, and Europe. This shift implies Melbourne may be shunned for the initial nonstop launches, contradicting earlier Airbus announcements that explicitly linked the A350-1000 to Melbourne operations

## Why it matters

Affects 2 airline programs (Airbus, Qantas).

## Sources cited

- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/qantas-shifts-airbus-a350-1000ulr-strategy-shuns-melbourne) — Qantas Quietly Shifts Airbus A350-1000ULR Strategy, Shuns Melbourne

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