Non-stop flight from Sydney to London

SYDNEY: Qantas Airways is to fly non-stop from Sydney to London after ordering 12 special Airbus jets.

The airline will charge higher fares in a multi-billion dollar bet that fliers will pay a premium to save four hours.

The flights will be launched in late 2025 and will use A350-1000 aircraft specially configured with extra premium seating and reduced overall capacity to ferry up to 238 passengers on a 20-hour trip.

The planes will carry passengers in four classes and will have 100 fewer seats than British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd use on their A350-1000s. The carrier will dedicate more than 40% of seating to premium classes.