Qantas Business Class: The Complete UK Guide (2026)

Qantas is the only airline that flies non-stop between the UK and Australia today, and from October 2027 it will fly the world's longest scheduled passenger route, London to Sydney without a stop. For UK travellers heading Down Under, that makes Qantas business class worth understanding in detail: which flight to pick now, what changes with Project Sunrise, and when a Gulf or Asian carrier is the better call.

Qantas Business Class at a Glance

Qantas Routes from the UK in 2026

Qantas runs two daily services from Heathrow, and they suit different trips. Choosing between them is the single biggest decision in a Qantas booking, because it sets your journey time, your aircraft and the seat you'll sleep in.

QF1 / QF2: London to Sydney via Singapore (A380)

QF1 and QF2 are the historic Kangaroo Route, flown on the Airbus A380 with a two-hour stop at Changi. Heading out, QF2 leaves Heathrow in the evening; the London–Singapore leg takes about 13 hours 40 minutes and Singapore–Sydney about 7 hours 40 minutes. Coming home, QF1 flies Sydney–Singapore in roughly 8.5 hours, then Singapore–London in around 14 hours 15 minutes.

Business class sits on the A380's upper deck: 70 seats in a 1-2-1 layout, so everyone has direct aisle access. You usually keep the same aircraft and seat for both legs, and the Changi stop is long enough to stretch your legs in the Qantas Singapore lounges without the risk of a missed connection.

One thing to watch: Qantas has said that the arrival of its A350s and additional 787s lets it begin retiring the A380. The A380 is still flying QF1/QF2 through 2026, but the aircraft on this route is likely to change once the new jets arrive, so confirm the equipment when you book travel for late 2027 onwards.

QF9 / QF10: London to Perth non-stop (787-9)

QF9 and QF10 have linked Heathrow and Perth non-stop since 2018, covering around 14,500km in roughly 17 hours. It is one of the longest 787 routes in the world and, until Project Sunrise launches, the only non-stop service between the UK and Australia.

Outbound, QF10 is an overnight flight that lands in Perth around lunchtime. The ticket continues to Melbourne via Perth, so you can either stay on to Melbourne or break the journey in Western Australia. Westbound, QF9 lands in London during the day, which most travellers find easier on the body clock.

Perth works well for three kinds of trip: Western Australia itself (Margaret River, Rottnest, the Kimberley), Melbourne on the through-service, and any east-coast city where you would rather make one long flight plus a domestic hop than connect through Asia or the Gulf. See our guide to business class flights to Perth for current fares.

From Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh

Heathrow is Qantas's only UK airport. From the regions, we connect you onto QF1/QF2 or QF9/QF10 on a single ticket, usually via a British Airways domestic flight into Heathrow, so your bags are checked through and a delay on the first leg is covered. If you would rather avoid Heathrow entirely, the Gulf carriers fly one-stop to Australia from several regional airports (see the comparison below).

Project Sunrise: Non-Stop London to Sydney from October 2027

Project Sunrise is Qantas's plan to fly non-stop from Australia's east coast to London and New York. After years of delay, the dates are now confirmed in Qantas’s June 2026 route announcement:

• Launch: daily non-stop Sydney–London flights from October 2027.
• On sale: tickets are expected to go on sale in February 2027.
• Aircraft: the Airbus A350-1000ULR, fitted with an extra fuel tank and built for flights of up to 22 hours. Qantas has ordered 12, and the first (named Vega) is due for delivery in April 2027.
• Time saved: up to four hours compared with today's one-stop journeys.
• New York: a Sydney–New York non-stop is planned to follow later in 2027.

The new flight runs alongside the existing services rather than replacing them: Qantas has said Perth–London and Sydney–Singapore–London continue.

The A350-1000ULR business suite

The A350-1000ULR carries just 238 passengers, the lowest seat count of any A350 flying (Airbus). For business travellers the headline is a new seat, detailed on Qantas’s A350 cabin page:

• 52 business suites in a 1-2-1 layout, so every seat has direct aisle access.
• Sliding doors, the first time Qantas business class has had them.
• An adjustable divider between the centre pairs, useful if you're travelling with a partner.
• An 80-inch flat bed, a large dining table and work surface, and more storage.
• Free Wi-Fi in every cabin and menus you can pre-select before the flight.

Behind business are 6 enclosed First suites, 40 premium economy seats and 140 economy seats, plus a Wellbeing Zone between the premium economy and economy cabins with stretch space, a guided movement programme and a hydration station. The cabin was developed with the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre with the aim of reducing jet lag.

Should you wait for Project Sunrise?

Only if your trip is from October 2027 onwards and a single 20-hour-plus flight appeals more than a stop. The non-stop is the fastest way to Sydney, but some travellers prefer to break the journey, and a stop in Singapore, Doha or Dubai gives you a shower, a lounge meal and a walk. For trips before October 2027, the choice is between QF1/QF2, QF9/QF10 and the one-stop alternatives below.

Launch-period demand for a world-first route is likely to be strong. If you want to be on the early flights, register your interest with us before February 2027 so we can quote as soon as seats are released.

The Business Class Seat Today

On both the A380 and the 787-9, Qantas business class is a 1-2-1 layout with fully flat beds and direct aisle access from every seat. Window seats suit solo travellers; the centre pairs suit couples. There is no door on either aircraft today, so if a door matters to you on a 17-hour or 24-hour journey, Qatar Airways' Qsuite is the main alternative until the A350 enters service.

On the 787-9 to Perth, the main consideration is length. At around 17 hours, it is worth choosing your seat with sleep in mind: a seat away from the galleys and toilets makes a noticeable difference on an overnight flight of that length.

Lounges: Heathrow, Singapore and Australia

At Heathrow, Qantas business passengers use the Qantas London Lounge in Terminal 3, spread over two floors with seating for more than 230, airfield views, a bar on each level and a dining area. Qantas had planned a separate First lounge at Heathrow, but in June 2026 it shelved that project and is instead refurbishing and expanding the existing London Lounge, including a premium dining room, with the work opening in stages through 2026.

Terminal 3 is also home to Cathay Pacific's and British Airways' lounges, and eligible oneworld status holders have plenty of choice before departure. On QF1/QF2, the Changi stop gives access to the Qantas lounges in Singapore; in Australia, business passengers use Qantas's international business lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Dining and Service

Qantas's business class menus are designed with Australian chef Neil Perry, who also worked on the Project Sunrise cabin and dining concept. On the A350-1000ULR, every cabin will be able to pre-select meals before the flight. The service style is relaxed and friendly rather than formal, and on the long overnight sectors most passengers eat early and sleep.

Qantas vs Qatar, Emirates and Singapore Airlines to Australia

Most UK business class passengers to Australia fly one of four airlines. Here's how they compare on what matters most for a journey of this length.

Our view: choose Qantas when you want the non-stop to Perth (or, from October 2027, to Sydney), or you're collecting Avios and want to stay within oneworld. Choose Qatar's Qsuite if a door matters most today. Choose Emirates or Qatar if you want to fly from a regional UK airport without going through Heathrow. Singapore Airlines is the one to pick for service and a Changi stopover. For the full ranking, see our guide to the best business class airlines to Australia.

Business Class Fares to Australia

These are our current lowest business class fares from the UK to each Australian city, across all the airlines we sell. Qantas fares vary more by date, so we quote them against your exact travel dates.

Per person, return, on our private fares. Guide prices checked 21 September 2026; availability and prices change daily. For a fuller breakdown by airport and season, see how much business class to Australia costs.

How to Book Qantas Business Class

Pick the right flight first. QF10 to Perth is the fastest way into Australia today; QF2 via Singapore is the one to take for Sydney without a change of aircraft. If you're heading to Brisbane or Adelaide, compare both with the one-stop Gulf options, which often connect more directly.

Time it well. The UK summer holidays and the December–January peak sell out first, and business class to Australia is best booked several months ahead for those dates. The shoulder months usually offer better availability. See the best time to book business class to Australia.

Think about Avios. Qantas is a oneworld member and a British Airways partner, so you can earn Avios on Qantas flights by crediting them to your BA Executive Club account. If you're loyal to Emirates or Singapore Airlines instead, that is a reason to look at those carriers.

Plan for Project Sunrise. If you're travelling from October 2027, register your interest with us before tickets go on sale in February 2027.

As a consolidator, we price Qantas alongside every realistic routing to Australia, confirm the aircraft in writing and hold private fares that are often below the airline's own price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Qantas fly non-stop from the UK to Australia?

Yes. Qantas flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Perth on the Boeing 787-9 as QF10, with QF9 returning, in around 17 hours. It is currently the only non-stop between the UK and Australia. Sydney is served via Singapore on QF1/QF2, and a non-stop Sydney–London flight starts in October 2027.

When does Qantas Project Sunrise start?

Qantas plans to launch daily non-stop Sydney–London flights in October 2027, with tickets expected on sale in February 2027. The route uses the Airbus A350-1000ULR, flies for up to 22 hours and saves up to four hours compared with today's one-stop journeys. A Sydney–New York non-stop is planned later in 2027.

What is business class like on the Qantas A350 Project Sunrise flights?

The A350-1000ULR has 52 business suites in a 1-2-1 layout, each with a sliding door, an 80-inch flat bed and direct aisle access. It is the first Qantas business seat with a door. The aircraft carries only 238 passengers and includes free Wi-Fi and a Wellbeing Zone for stretching.

How long is the Qantas flight from London to Sydney?

QF2 from London to Sydney takes about 13 hours 40 minutes to Singapore, a stop of around two hours, then about 7 hours 40 minutes to Sydney: roughly 23 to 24 hours in total. From October 2027, the Project Sunrise non-stop is expected to take up to 22 hours.

Does Qantas business class have a door?

Not on its current A380 and 787-9 aircraft. Both use a 1-2-1 flat-bed seat with direct aisle access but no door. Sliding doors arrive with the A350-1000ULR business suites from October 2027. Until then, Qatar Airways' Qsuite is the main business class option to Australia with a closing door.

How much is Qantas business class from London to Australia?

Our current business class fares from the UK start from £3,883 return to Adelaide and £3,998 to Sydney or Perth across all airlines, guide prices checked 21 September 2026. These are not live fares. Qantas prices vary more by date and season, so we quote Qantas against your exact travel dates.

Is Qantas or Qatar better for business class to Australia?

Qantas is better if you want a non-stop flight, to Perth now or Sydney from October 2027, or want to stay within oneworld. Qatar is better if you want a door today with the Qsuite, or to fly from a regional UK airport rather than Heathrow. Both are oneworld airlines and earn Avios.

Which lounge does Qantas use at Heathrow?

Qantas business passengers use the Qantas London Lounge in Heathrow Terminal 3, which has two floors, seating for more than 230 and airfield views. Qantas shelved plans for a separate First lounge in June 2026 and is refurbishing and expanding this lounge instead, with a premium dining room opening in stages.

Related Reading

• 9 Best Business Class Airlines to Australia (2026 Ranked)
• Qatar vs Emirates vs Singapore to Australia
• Business Class Heathrow to Sydney
• Air New Zealand Business Premier: The UK Guide
• British Airways Business Class: The UK Guide

Routes, aircraft and Project Sunrise details verified September 2026 and subject to change; confirm your aircraft type when you book. Sources: Qantas Newsroom, Qantas A350 cabins, Airbus, Travel Weekly and qantas.com. Consumer protection: CAA ATOL.