✈ New ‘world’s longest flight’ on horizon, United’s blocked middle seats and more from TPG! ✈

June 17, 2026

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Project Sunrise

by Ben Mutzabaugh, Managing Editor for Aviation

Hello TPG readers,

Greetings from Toulouse, France!

I’m here for an in-person preview of Qantas Airways’ newest plane type — one that will have the longest range of any commercial passenger jet in the world.

It’s all part of Qantas’ “Project Sunrise” initiative, which launched in 2017 and aims to fly nonstop from Sydney to both London and New York City. Qantas made splashy “research” flights on both routes back in 2019, and it used Boeing 787s that flew with just a few dozen passengers to lighten the load and extend the jet’s range.

Currently, no commercial aircraft can fly the routes with a full load of passengers and cargo.

But that will change with the new Airbus A350-1000ULR — the ULR is for “ultra long range” — that will be on display for media today at Airbus’ factory in France. Qantas is expected to take delivery of the planes beginning in April, paving the way for its new flights between Sydney and New York City as well as between Sydney and London, which would become the world’s longest regularly scheduled flights.

First up is London, and those flights will begin in the fall of 2027, Qantas announced today. The New York flights will follow shortly after.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration revealed that it’s testing new “e-gates” at one of the East Coast’s busiest hubs. If the trial goes well, travelers may see these new gates roll out to more airports.

United has had a busy week, giving updates on new United Club locations at its hubs serving Washington, D.C., and San Francisco — the latter of which features a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with airfield views.

The airline also said it’s “exploring” blocking the middles seats on some rows of its brand-new Airbus A321XLRs. TPG’s Sean Cudahy breaks down United’s possible move, including what might be behind the move to add the so-called Eurobusiness-style rows.

And we’ll close with some new airline routes.

American Airlines confirmed that its route between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar, is not returning. Instead, Qatar Airways will return to Philadelphia and restore its own nonstop service between the cities.

Frontier Airlines also plans to return to a city it previously served — this one in the San Francisco Bay area — as it picks up two more routes dropped by now-defunct rival Spirit Airlines.

That’s all for this week. Until next time …

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Photo Credit: BEN MUTZABAUGH/THE POINTS GUY.

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