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As it happenedended

Qantas’ London to Sydney flight: Almost empty plane flies direct as part of ‘Project Sunrise’

The 10,537 mile flight left Heathrow this morning

Thursday 14 November 2019 17:40 GMT
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Qantas completes test of first non-stop flight from New York to Sydney

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Qantas is flying an almost empty nonstop flight from London to Sydney as part of the carrier’s “Project Sunrise”.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner left Heathrow this morning and is due to land in Sydney at 11.45am local time on Friday.

Qantas first flew from London to Sydney nonstop more than 30 years ago.

To recap our coverage, read the live blog below.

helen.coffey14 November 2019 14:55

The flight, currently travelling south over China, is almost halfway through its epic journey - it's been in the air for just over nine hours now, with an estimated nine and a half hours to go. Hang in there!

helen.coffey14 November 2019 15:15

The flight path over southern China is a zig-zag rather than a smooth curve, perhaps a reflection of the amount of competing air traffic.

helen.coffey14 November 2019 15:52

helen.coffey14 November 2019 15:54

It's more than 10 hours in. Only another 7h 50m to go...

helen.coffey14 November 2019 16:39

Flight QF7879 is now approaching the South China Sea.

helen.coffey14 November 2019 17:00

The flight is on track to cross the equator in around three hours.

helen.coffey14 November 2019 17:18

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