Qantas rejects Airbus and Boeing offers for ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise
This story has been updated to include comments from Airbus.
Qantas has rejected proposals from Airbus and Boeing for airplanes able to fly nonstop from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York. No planes currently in service are able to cover the routes, up to 10,500 miles, with a full load.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the airline has asked the two planemakers "to go back and (...) sharpen their pencils, because there still was a gap there," Qantas International chief executive Tino La Spina said at an investor briefing in Sydney on Tuesday.
The refusal may mean that Qantas' plans to begin the flights — which would beat Singapore to New York for the longest nonstops — in 2023 may have to be postponed or even canceled.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was quoted in the same story as saying that "I have no problem… in saying 'we gave it a good try but it didn't work'."
Price played a part in the rejection, but other factors counted too, according to La Spina.
Airbus was pitching an ultra-long-range version of the A350-1000, and Boeing its 777-8X. The former would be a modification of an airplane that is already in service with airlines, while the latter is an advanced version of the 777 that has not flown yet and whose entry into service has been delayed.
"We are in continued discussions with Qantas. The details of our discussions remain confidential," an Airbus spokesperson told TPG in an emailed statement.
La Spina was quoted by the Australian Aviation site as saying that "We've got the Airbus A350ULR and we've got the 777-X. Both products can do the mission," but adding that the airline wanted more than performance at a good price.
"That is just not around price. That covers things like guarantees, the what ifs, because this aircraft is going to be in the fleet for the next 20 years and we want to cover off eventualities," La Spina said.
Both jets seat around 300 to 350 people, but the configuration that Qantas would likely choose for such long flights might have fewer seats. The Australian airline is already serving London nonstop from Australia, but that's only possible from Perth, while Sydney and Melbourne are too far for unrefueled flights.
Qantas has flown two demonstration flights to Sydney to gauge passenger reactions, one in October from New York and another this month from London. But because no jets made today can get there with full passenger and cargo loads, the Boeing 787-9 used for the flights was limited to just a few dozen people on board. That would not be economical for scheduled service.
TPG senior aviation editor Ben Mutzabaugh, who was on the flight from New York, reported that Qantas would offer a new onboard product if the Project Sunrise flights were to actually happen. That would include a first class "that leapfrogs what's there today," Joyce said on the flight.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.