Thread by @flightradar24

The 2nd @Qantas #ProjectSunrise flight has just departed London for Sydney. #QF7879 is planned to take 19 hr 18 min.

Takeoff weight: 231,920 kg
Fuel: 100,000 kg (not quite full tanks)
Flight plan: 49 waypoints between London and Sydney

Follow live at flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

And here's the full planned route for today’s #QF7879. The planned path mostly follows the great circle route while accounting for airway placement and weather conditions. The third image shows the great circle route compared to the planned flight path.

flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

This isn't the first time Qantas has flown between London and Sydney non-stop. 30 years ago, Qantas took delivery of its first 747-400 VH-OJA via London. For that flight a special fuel was used and the aircraft was towed to the runway before starting its engines.

Capt. Helen Trenerry’s briefing just prior to departure today. The #QF7879 was waiting for Qatar Airways’ morning arrival to clear the runway before departing RWY 27L.

https://twitter.com/Qantas/status/1194866636467118080

While today’s #QF7879 will be measured in hours, the first flight from London to Australia in 1919 took 28 days.

We have received the first update from the flight deck

EFFECIENT
DEPARTURE THANKS TO
LONDON ATC. FIRST
SUNRISE OFF THE RIGHT
WING AT 0653Z. NEXT
SUNRISE WILL BE OFF
THE LEFT WING

Latest update from the flight deck of @Qantas flight #QF7879

TRACKING AHEAD OF THE
FLIGHT PLAN. MANY WELL
WISHES FROM ATC AND
OTHER AIRCRAFT. LOTS OF
SNOW IN RUSSIA.

SUPPER MEAL SERVICE NOW
COMPLETE AND THE CABIN
IS NOW IN DARKNESS FOR
SLEEPING. BREAKFAST IN
8 HOURS.

@Qantas Flight #QF7879 is temporarily outside of Flightradar24 coverage and the position is estimated. This is indicated by a black dotted line and a description in the aircraft information window

More information about our data sources can be found at flightradar24.com/how-it-works

@Qantas We have #QF7879 back in coverage over China. A very strong tailwind gives the aircraft a ground speed of about 570 knots (1.050 km/h)

flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

#QF7879 now past the halfway point to Sydney.

flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

#QF7879 well on its way to Sydney and expected to cross the equator about 3 hours from now. The flight is currently transiting the Hong Kong FIR and will soon be in the Manila FIR. flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

Latest update from #QF7879 flight deck. Soon the flight will have seen the sun rise twice. #ProjectSunrise flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…
___

LOTS OF CALCULATIONS HAPPENING UP HERE AROUND THE EXACT SUNRISE TIME. NO SIGN OF DAYLIGHT YET. CABIN HAS JUST BEEN WOKEN FOR BREAKFAST.
___

#QF7879 crossing the equator as the sun rises for the second time on this flight. flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

Some performance figures as #QF7879 nears Australian controlled airspace.

TAKEOFF WEIGHT 231700KG

V1 158KTS
VR 167KTS
V2 171KTS

AIRCRAFT CURRENT WEIGHT 154900KG
EXPECTED LANDING WEIGHT
139000KG.

fr24.com/QFA7879/22d63a… #ProjectSunrise

Just under 3 hours to @SydneyAirport for #QF7879. The aircraft departed London 16.25 hours ago. fr24.com/QFA7879/22d63a… #ProjectSunrise

The #QF7879 now ~90 minutes from Sydney after 17 hr 40 min in the air. flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

Want to follow along in 3D? Use flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

1 hour to go! #QF7879 crossing from Brisbane to Melbourne control with just an hour left to Sydney. flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a…

#QF7879 now descending into Sydney after departing London 18 hr 54 min ago. flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a… #ProjectSunrise

Touchdown in Sydney!

Planned flight time: 19:18
Actual flight time: 19:18

flightradar24.com/QFA7879/22d63a… #QF7879 #ProjectSunrise

#QF7879 LHR-SYD flight facts

⏱ Time saved compared to QF2 (LHR-SIN-SYD) — 1 hr 57 mins

⛽️ Fuel onboard at arrival — 7000 kg or 1 hr 52 mins of flight

ℹ️ Flight crew managed to save 2000 kg of fuel en route via fuel saving techniques.

See playback at flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/…