Qantas says the new-generation Airbus jets will carry fewer passengers than its rivals and offer more space as travellers strap in for a 20-hour haul from Sydney to London.

Travellers will be able to fly non-stop from Sydney to London after Qantas announced the world’s longest direct commercial flight.

The airline said the 20-hour journey will become possible when it takes delivery of a dozen Airbus A350-1000 planes, which can do more than 10,000 miles without refuelling.

A Sydney to New York route is also being set up and the new-generation jets open up the potential for direct flights from Australia to any city in the world.

The services start in late 2025 and will carry up to 238 passengers across four travel classes.

For those wanting to stretch their legs on the mammoth flight, there will be a “wellbeing zone” in the centre of the aircraft that includes a snack bar and screens showing movement and stretching exercises.

It’s important to move around on a long flight as being less active can cause cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the legs, increasing the risk of developing a blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis.

The jet is also being designed to offer passengers more room, but 40% of the seats will be in expensive premium cabins.

Quantas: business class

Qantas says the planes also have 25% less CO2 emissions per seat and less noise, and it claims the long-distance project – which it calls “Project Sunrise” – will be carbon neutral from day one.

The Australian carrier began a 17-hour non-stop flight between London and Perth in 2018, using Boeing Dreamliner jets.

The world’s longest route is currently a New York JFK to Singapore route, operated by Singapore Airlines, which takes 18 hours 50 minutes and travels just over 9,500 miles.

Qantas also said it is buying 40 new aircraft for domestic routes – 20 Airbus A321XLRs and 20 A220-300s – as it retires older Boeing planes.