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Qantas is operating a nonstop test flight from London to Sydney today
Ben Smithson
Senior writer
Ben Smithson is a travel loyalty expert based in London.
Nov. 14, 2019
•
3 min read
Qantas is operating a nonstop test flight from London to Sydney today
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Qantas is continuing its ultra-long test flights today with a nonstop flight from London Heathrow (LHR) all the way to Sydney (SYD).
As part of its Project Sunrise initiative, the more than 10,500-mile flight, operated by a brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, is lightly loaded with just a few dozen "test subjects." They are being monitored by onboard scientists and medical experts from Charles Perkins Centre — a medical research institute affiliated with the University of Sydney — who are observing the effects of the marathon flight on things like sleep patterns, well-being and how body clocks adjust to changing so many time zones in one flight.
Rather than taking a 787 out of service for the special test flight, Qantas is using an aircraft delivered brand new from Boeing. Since the plane had to be delivered from Boeing's Seattle (SEA) production line to Qantas in Australia, the airline had a creative way of making the most of the delivery flight by routing VH-VNJ via Los Angeles, and then London to conduct the test flight. It departed just before 6 a.m. London time (1 a.m. ET) on Thursday morning, and arrives into Sydney Friday morning.
The Australian flag carrier hopes to operate commercial flights on this route within the next few years, but no fully loaded aircraft currently have the range to make the journey of more than 11,000 miles. Qantas executives have said they plan to decide by the year's end whether to proceed with the plan. If so, the Project Sunrise routes likely would begin in 2023 as the carrier starts taking delivery of the first aircraft that would fly them.
Qantas does operate two daily flights from London to Australia — one is operated by a Dreamliner, but to the Western Australian city of Perth (PER), which is several hours closer to London than Sydney. The other Qantas flight does fly from London to Sydney, but must make a stop to refuel in Singapore (SIN). Qantas has been working closely with both Boeing and Airbus to develop aircraft capable of flying the route non-stop with paying passengers which would give both the airline and aircraft manufacturer the honor of operating the world's longest commercial flight.
This is not the first time Qantas has operated this route nonstop. Thirty years ago, to celebrate receiving its first dash-400 variant of the Boeing 747, it flew London to Sydney nonstop — also with a nearly-empty plane.
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Qantas has already conducted a Project Sunrise test flight from New York (JFK) to Sydney. TPG was onboard for the grueling but unique experience — you can read all about Ben Mutzabaugh's experience here.
Related: Behind the scenes: What it was like on Qantas' 19-hour Project Sunrise flight from New York
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Featured image by Tim Stake
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.