
Flying from London to Australia takes a long time. The flight duration varies depending on the airline and the number of stops, but it usually takes between 19 and 22 hours. However, new research suggests that sub-orbital space flights could reduce this time to just 2 hours by 2033. Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, plans to launch direct flights from Sydney to London in 2025, reducing the travel time to 19 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flight duration | 21 hours, 37 minutes to 22 hours, 56 minutes |
| Flight speed | 500 mph or 805 km/h |
| Distance | 9,481 miles or 15,258 kilometers |
| Future flight duration | 2 hours by 2033 |
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What You'll Learn

The current flight duration is 22 hours
The current flight duration from London to Australia is 22 hours. This is the case for flights from London to Sydney, Australia's most populous city. The duration of the flight can vary, however, with some flights taking as little as 19 hours, and others taking as long as 22 hours and 56 minutes.
The duration of the flight depends on a number of factors, including the type of aircraft, the route taken, and the weather conditions. For example, the Qantas route from London to Sydney currently makes one stop, which can add time to the journey. Additionally, the average flight speed of a commercial airliner can vary, affecting the overall duration of the flight.
It's worth noting that the flight duration of 22 hours is based on the actual flying time and does not include airport wait times, taxi time between the gate and runway, or possible equipment or weather delays. These additional factors can add significant time to the overall journey. Therefore, it's important for travellers to factor in these potential delays when planning their trip.
In the future, the flight time between London and Australia is expected to decrease significantly. New research suggests that by 2033, the journey could take just 2 hours through the use of sub-orbital 'earth to earth' space travel. This method of travel would involve sending passengers briefly into space before descending to their destination. While this technology is still in development, it highlights the potential for rapid advancements in travel times between these two locations.
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By 2025, Qantas will operate a 19-hour direct flight
Qantas, Australia's flagship airline, is set to launch a direct flight from Sydney to London in 2025, reducing the travel time to 19 hours. This is a significant improvement from the current travel time of 22 hours, which includes a stop. Dubbed "Project Sunrise", the new route will allow passengers to experience sunrises in two locations.
Qantas has been preparing for this endeavour by conducting test flights to study the effects of ultra-long-haul flights on the human body and to identify ways to improve the comfort and well-being of passengers and crew. These test flights, which took place in 2019, operated a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with maximum fuel and limited passenger and cargo loads to ensure the aircraft's uninterrupted flight. Qantas is also working on strategies to reduce jet lag and promote restfulness for passengers, as well as alertness and rest opportunities for crew members.
The research conducted on these test flights has provided valuable insights into the impact of long-haul flights on travellers and crew. For example, the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre has emphasised the need for further research on jet lag and travel fatigue, highlighting factors such as nutrition, hydration, exercise, sleep, and light. Additionally, Monash University scientists have studied flight crew members' melatonin levels and brain wave data to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced during ultra-long-haul journeys.
While the introduction of the 19-hour direct flight by Qantas is a significant development, future advancements in aviation are already on the horizon. According to new research, travellers may be able to fly from London to Sydney in less than two hours within the next decade by utilising sub-orbital 'earth to earth' space travel. This method would involve sending passengers briefly into space before descending to their destination, drastically reducing travel time compared to conventional aviation.
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Suborbital space flights could reduce travel time to 2 hours
Flying from London to Australia is a long-haul journey that takes over 22 hours. However, new research suggests that suborbital space flights could reduce this travel time to just 2 hours by 2033. This involves a brief trip to space, where passengers would experience G-forces four times the force of the Earth's gravity during take-off and landing, and zero-gravity mid-flight.
The use of suborbital space flights for fast point-to-point travel is expected to mature over the next decade. The aviation industry is researching how ordinary citizens can cope with short periods in zero gravity during long-haul travel. The G-forces experienced during suborbital flights could result in travellers having trouble breathing and possibly suffering a momentary loss of vision. However, older travellers might fare better due to their stiffer arteries, which could reduce the pooling of blood away from the brain.
Research from King's College London, funded by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and facilitated by the Royal Air Force, found that most people could handle the G-forces experienced during suborbital flights. The study, published in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, concluded that "physiological responses are likely to be benign for most passengers", according to the CAA's medical lead, Dr Ryan Anderton.
While suborbital flights are currently available for tourism and scientific research through companies like Virgin Galactic, they come with a steep price tag of over $650,000. However, the CAA believes that as demand increases, prices will eventually decrease, making suborbital space flights an accessible intercontinental travel option.
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The average flight speed is 500 mph
The average flight speed of a commercial airliner is 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. This speed is often used to calculate the expected duration of flights, such as from London, UK to Australia. The straight-line distance between these two locations is about 9,481 miles or 15,258 kilometers.
Using the average flight speed of 500 mph, the expected flight duration from London to Australia is approximately 19 hours. This calculation assumes a constant speed and includes an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. However, it's important to note that actual flight times may vary due to factors like wind speeds and specific flight paths taken.
Additionally, when planning a trip, it's crucial to consider the time required for the plane to taxi between the gate and the runway. Other factors that can influence the overall travel time include airport wait times, potential equipment issues, and unforeseen weather delays. These variables can add significant time to the duration of the journey.
It's worth mentioning that the flight time between London and Australia is currently being revolutionized. New research and developments in sub-orbital "earth-to-earth" space travel suggest that by 2033, the flight time between these locations could be reduced to just 2 hours. This emerging technology will drastically reduce travel times, offering a faster and more efficient way to travel between these distant destinations.
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The straight-line distance is 9,481 miles or 15,258 km
The distance between London and Australia is quite significant, with a straight-line distance of 9,481 miles or 15,258 km. This distance is what is known as "as the crow flies," which means it is the distance measured in a straight line between the two locations.
This straight-line distance is much shorter than the actual distance travelled by commercial airliners flying from London to Australia. The total flight duration for this journey is typically around 22 hours, with some flights taking a little less or a little more time. For example, a flight from London to Sydney, Australia, can take 21 hours and 37 minutes, while another source cites a flight time of 22 hours and 56 minutes for the same route.
The duration of the flight can be influenced by various factors, including the specific route taken, wind speeds, and the speed of the aircraft. Additionally, it's important to distinguish between direct and non-stop flights. A direct flight refers to a flight between two locations without any intermediate stops, while a non-stop flight means the plane doesn't land until it reaches its destination, excluding take-off and landing.
Currently, there are no non-stop flights available for the entire journey from London to Australia. Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, offers a non-stop flight from Perth, on the west coast of Australia, to London in approximately 17 hours. However, their flight from London to Sydney includes a stop, although they plan to introduce a direct flight for that route in 2025, reducing the travel time to 19 hours.
Looking to the future, new research and developments in suborbital space travel suggest that flight times between London and Australia could be drastically reduced. According to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), travellers may be able to fly between these two locations in less than two hours within the next decade by utilising suborbital space flights. This method involves sending passengers briefly into space before descending to their destination, revolutionising long-distance travel.
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Frequently asked questions
The flight duration from London, UK to Sydney, Australia is around 22 hours.
The current Qantas route from London to Sydney includes one stop, but the airline plans to launch a direct flight in 2025, reducing the travel time to 19 hours.
Yes, sub-orbital space flights are expected to be available within the next decade, reducing the travel time to under 2 hours. However, these tickets are likely to be extremely expensive at first.
These flights will be around 10 times faster than current aviation methods.
The straight-line distance between London and Sydney is about 10,557 miles or 16,989 kilometers.





































