The promise of new Project Sunrise flights is now a reality!
After a six-year development timeline during which this writer began to think Project Sunrise might be abandoned due to the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it’s time for me to eat my words and cheer the kangaroo!
Qantas has finally released the plane cabin that powers Project Sunrise. Project Sunrise is an innovative air travel system connecting eastern Australians nonstop with Europe and New York.
The airline plans to fly to Sydney starting in late 2025 and has scheduled delivery of twelve new Airbus A350-1000s.
Qantas Pioneers in Long-haul Travel: Unveils Redesigned Airbus A350 with a Wellbeing Zone to Boost Passenger Experience
What to expect onboard?
Six large enclosed First Suites in the first-class cabins, including a separate 2-meter flat bed, a dining table for two, a separate recliner chair, and a 32″ 4K ultra-high definition touch screen TV. Plus, first-class service.
52 Business Suites in business class cabins with sliding doors for additional privacy. This feature first introduced by Delta Air Lines has become a competitive factor in business-class travel. Qantas business class passengers flying on the new Project Sunrise Airbus A350 get a lay flat bed, large dining table, bespoke lighting and 18″ 4k ultra-high definition touch screen TV.
40 Premium Economy seats in the Premium Economy cabin with 13.3” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity, two fast charging USB-C outlets, dedicated amenity and personal storage pockets, a 40” pitch, calf rest which allows for full leg cradling and a winged, adjustable privacy headrest.
140 economy class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration offering the most generous seat pitches of any Qantas aircraft, ergonomic leg and foot rest systems and personal storage options.
See the video: Australian flag carrier Qantas unveils redesigned Airbus A350 cabins, optimally designed for long-haul flights.
Qantas is rewriting the rules of long-haul air travel as it unveils the cutting-edge design of its specially outfitted Airbus A350. With direct flights from Sydney to New York and London scheduled to commence in late 2025, Qantas is poised to revolutionize the final frontier of extended air travel.
Qantas Project Sunrise Flights Design for Seamless Global Connectivity and Time Savings
This innovative Airbus A350 cabin, years in the making, promises an unmatched inflight experience for 238 passengers. Offering up to 22 hours of nonstop travel from Australia, the Qantas A350 is ready to connect customers to nearly any destination globally. Furthermore, the company’s new Project Sunrise design flights are projected to reduce point-to-point travel time by up to four hours when compared to one-stop routes.
Revolutionary Wellbeing Zone and Upgraded Passenger Comfort
Beyond offering a luxurious First and Business class experience, Qantas raises the bar for passenger comfort in its Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Fitted with seats offering generous pitch, ergonomic leg and footrest systems, and plentiful personal storage options, Qantas ensures a premium experience for all passengers.
What sets the Qantas A350 apart from other carriers, though, is its dedicated Wellbeing Zone. Located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, this innovative space has sculpted wall panels, integrated stretch handles, a guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station, and an array of refreshments. This world-first places Qantas at the forefront of passenger well-being in air travel.
A Holistic Approach to Passenger Comfort
While the Airbus A350 will have a high percentage of premium first class and business class seats, Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce noted most customers will travel in Premium Economy and Economy, so maximising comfort and wellbeing across all cabins was a priority for the airlines.
“[This meant] reducing the number of seats onboard our A350 to 238 compared to the 300-plus seat layout of other carriers gives our passengers more space and comfort,” Joyce explained.
Why Qantas’ ‘fewer seats’ strategy could be a winner on competitive ultra-long-haul routes
This is also a good revenue-building strategy for Qantas by optimizing the potential earnings of the cabin layout based on booking trends. You can learn more about that in my special report for Skift here.
Having a less-dense cabin is also a good cost and weight-saving strategy to optimize aircraft performance, staffing requirements, and fuel consumption on ultra-long-haul routes.
Smart Design Thinking for Plane Better Flights
“Fewer seats translate to more space for each customer and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for travelers to stretch, help themselves to a snack and spend time out of their seat. We are the only airline in the world that will have a bespoke designed onboard stretch and movement space.”—Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce
Qantas has ensured the most generous seat pitches of its fleet in the Airbus A350, which will be welcome by long-haul travelers flying in the back half of the plane.
“We have spent just as much time on the second half of the aircraft as we did the front; in fact, we started studies on the Wellbeing Zone before any other area of the A350,” Joyce said. “The new Project Sunrise flights give us the opportunity to re-think long-haul travel in its entirety, from aircraft cabin design to what ingredients we include on the inflight menu.”
Inside the new Qantas Airbus A350 Wellbeing Zone
The A350 will feature Qantas’ first inflight Wellbeing Zone, located between Economy and Premium Economy cabins. The Wellbeing Zone gives every passenger a space to enjoy specially curated guided movements via onboard monitors and help themselves to a selection of refreshments.
Superior In-flight Tech Features
The aircraft’s technical capabilities are just as impressive. Every seat features multiple fast USB-C charging ports, and premium first and business-class seats boast integrated wireless charging.
Qantas also offers free and fast Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity across all cabins, so passengers can seamlessly connect their personal devices to the individual inflight entertainment screen, ensuring a thoroughly modern and connected journey.
Incorporating Scientific Research into the Design of Qantas Aircraft
This pioneering redesign was grounded in the latest scientific research on reducing jet lag and improving sleep and overall well-being during ultra-long-haul flights.
Qantas’ World’s First Research to Reduce JetLag
Research conducted by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and carried out during a test flight for Qantas’s Project Sunrise program has proven the positive effects on travelers’ health.
The study considered the use of different light and sleep patterns as well as specific meal times for the night. A further finding was the use and consumption of foods such as chili and chocolate benefit well-being on long-distance travel. Qantas will use these insights in the design of their inflight menu. The study also found that physical activities are essential to promote optimum well-being, which led to the development of the A350-1000s Wellness Zone.
Collaboration with Australian Designer David Caon
In collaboration with Australian designer David Caon, every detail of the aircraft cabin design has been painstakingly considered, from fabric selection to the design of an entirely new Premium Economy seat exclusive to Qantas.
With a focus on ergonomics, entertainment, and privacy, the redesigned Premium Economy and Economy cabins are set to redefine passenger comfort and in-flight experience.
“The Premium Economy cabin has been redesigned from the ground up with a focus on ergonomics, entertainment, and privacy,” Caon said. “The new headrest wings are the biggest visible difference and will provide passengers with both additional support and a sense of privacy without isolating them from travel companions. An upholstered ergonomic foot and leg rest system allows the body to be cradled in recline to better help passengers sleep.”
“Economy travelers also have an OLED 13” TV screen, foot net, and convenient storage space within arms’ reach to store glasses and personal items. The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support, and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat, which will have 33 inches of legroom,” Caon continued.
“In both the Premium Economy cabin and Economy cabins, we have redesigned every element of the seats to provide better features as well as a fresh look across the entire aircraft to create a sense of light and calm,” Caon concluded.
Qantas: A Trailblazer in Long-haul Air Travel
In this ambitious endeavor, Qantas proves itself to be a trailblazer in the aviation industry, paving the way for future innovations in ultra-long-haul flights. The comprehensive redesign of the Airbus A350-1000s is a testament to Qantas’s commitment to delivering unparalleled service and passenger experience in the sky.
Just the Facts
Qantas’ intuitive A350-1000s cabin of the future will fly 238 passengers for up to 22 hours nonstop from Australia to almost any destination in the world.
Work on Qantas’ new A350-1000s cabin began in 2019 and took tens of thousands of hours to create.
All seats in all four cabins will feature multiple fast USB-C charging ports
Seats in first class and business class will also have integrated wireless charging.
All passengers get fast and free WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to connect their personal headsets to the inflight entertainment screen.
New Qantas A350 First-class suite features:
USB-A and C, AC and wireless charging outlets 2 Touchscreen suite controller
An enclosed suite with 57” (1.4m) high walls and a sliding door
Full-length wardrobe and multiple personal storage areas
32” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity (14” larger than our A380)
Flexible work, seating and dining space for two
80” (2m) long flat separate bed
Adjustable bed backrest for breakfast in bed
Customisable LED lighting
Separate 22” wide reclining armchair
50% more suite space compared to the A380 suites
Six large enclosed First Suites on the new Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000.
New Qantas Business class cabins feature:
18” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity (2” larger than A380s and B787)
Cushioned leather ottoman that lifts for increased storage access
Sliding door into 42” wide suite with 47” high privacy wall
Architectural feature light
Personal storage compartment with mirror
USB-A and C, AC and wireless charging outlets 7 Additional cocktail and work surface
80” (2m) long and 25” wide flat bed (1” longer than A380 First flat bed)
Generous 25” wide seat with lumbar support (1” wider than our A380 Business seats)
Touchscreen suite controller
Separate upholstered glove box
52 Business Suites in the business-class cabin.
New Qantas Premium Economy cabins feature:
13.3” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity
Three dedicated amenity and personal storage pockets
Qantas’ most spacious seat pitch at 40”
Calf rest which allows for full leg cradling
Two fast-charging USB-C outlets for every passenger
8” winged privacy headrest that adjusts for maximum comfort
40 Premium Economy seats in the Premium Economy cabin
New Qantas Economy seats feature:
spacious seat pitch at 33”
Six-way adjustable headrest
Multi-use seatback table
Two fast charging USB-C outlets for every passenger
13.3” entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity
Extra shelf for personal devices
140 economy class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.
The Wellbeing Zone located between the Premium Economy and Economy will feature sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.
Direct flights from Sydney to New York and London are scheduled to start in late 2025