Qantas has unveiled prototypes of the spacious first and corporate cabins of the plane, which will fly passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025.
A virtual reality flyby of the aircraft cabin was also unveiled.
The cabins, according to Qantas, were designed by Australian studio Caon Design and sleep scientists from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.
The non-stop flight program – dubbed ‘Project Sunrise’ – will operate a fleet of 12 Airbus A350-1000s that will ‘overcome the tyranny of distance’, with passengers enjoying the flights, which will last around 20 hours. the most advanced and thoughtful design of any airline.
The key to cabin design, according to Qantas, is to give passengers more space by configuring the A350 for 238 passengers, compared to the more than 300 seats of other airlines.
Qantas has unveiled prototypes of the spacious First (above) and Corporate cabins of the plane, which will fly passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025
The Premier Suite (above) “has a number of features that make customers feel as if they are in a small boutique hotel room”
First Class seats have an extra wide fixed bed, separate recliner, personal locker, dining table for two and 32-inch Ultra High Definition TV.
The Qantas A350 has six First Suites in a 1-1-1 configuration and 52 Business Suites in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for all.
Qantas says the first class suite “has a range of features that give customers the feeling of being in a small boutique hotel room, complete with an extra-wide fixed bed, a separate armchair, a personal wardrobe, a dining table for two and a 32 – on ultra high definition television”.
Business class passengers, by contrast, have seats with privacy doors, 6-foot daybeds, “ample” storage space — including a full-length mirror — padded leather footstools, 18-inch high-definition touchscreen TVs, large dining tables, and “function lighting.” “. “
Qantas adds that both classes will offer “multiple charging options for personal devices, including wireless inductive charging.”
In addition, “fast and free” high-speed WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity will be offered throughout the aircraft.
There will also be a “comfort zone” for all passengers.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the investment in the new A350 aircraft and approach to cabin design is a continuation of Qantas’ 100-year history as pioneers in aviation.
He said: “Qantas has been a leader in opening new long-haul flights for most of our history and we are bringing everything we have learned, both technically and in terms of passenger comfort, to flying Project Sunrise.
Business class passengers have seats (above) with privacy doors, two meter long daybeds and “ample” storage space
The Qantas A350 has six First Suites in a 1-1-1 configuration and 52 Business Suites (above) in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for all
“We believe our A350 cabins have the most advanced and thoughtful design of any airline, combining advanced technology with sleep research to shape the look of a new era of travel.
“We are building on the customer experience of our hugely popular non-stop Perth to London flights as we continue to work to more easily connect Australia to the rest of the world.”
Australian designer David Caon said every opportunity was taken to promote well-being and comfort in the First and Business suites.
He said: “We started designing this aircraft cabin five years ago and worked with Airbus and Qantas to maximize space and create a bespoke lighting program that influences mood and sleep patterns.
“All design and service elements will work together to significantly improve comfort, convenience, health and well-being on board and help reduce the long-time enemy of jet lag.
“Every element has been designed for Qantas, from the reading lamp to the fabric, to ensure passengers travel in refined comfort.
“There are also a number of storage design elements to keep personal belongings close at hand, so the space can be customized by each individual passenger, making them feel at home in their own bed.”
A detail of the A350-1000 which will fly non-stop between Sydney, New York and London for around 20 hours
In 2019, Qantas conducted three research flights using “human guinea pigs” to test the effects of ultra-long haul on passengers and crew.
The first non-stop test flight between New York and Sydney with 49 passengers and crew.
The second flight was from London Heathrow to Sydney and carried a similar number of people.
A third test flight was conducted between New York and Sydney.
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Center and the Cooperative Research Center for Alertness, Safety and Productivity (Alertness CRC) were on board all three flights and collected data on the health and well-being of passengers.
Qantas currently uses Boeing Dreamliner for non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Perth a distance of 14,498 km (9,008 miles).
London to Sydney is 16,983 km (10,553 miles) and New York to Sydney is 15,979 km (9,929 miles).
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
