Summary:
- Qantas has unveiled the next evolution of its Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR cabin, designed for ultra long-haul travel including the world’s first non-stop Sydney-London services from October 2027.
- The 238-seat aircraft features science-led cabin design developed with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on wellbeing, sleep, lighting and inflight comfort.
- Innovations include new First and Business suites, a dedicated Wellbeing Zone, circadian lighting systems and a redesigned Economy experience with increased seat pitch across the cabin.
Qantas has revealed the next evolution in the cabin design for Project Sunrise, which will launch with the world’s first non-stop services between Sydney and London from October 2027. The Qantas Airbus A350-1000ULR has been configured with just 238 seats, the lowest seat density of any A350 around the world, giving every customer more space onboard. Every element has been designed to help customers arrive at their destination feeling their best, drawing on a decade of research with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and close collaboration with Caon Design Office and technology partners.
Across the A350-1000ULR, seating, lighting, dining and wellbeing have been designed to work as one, helping customers rest when they want to, stretch out and arrive feeling refreshed.
The A350-1000ULR will feature six enclosed First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, each designed using innovations and ergonomic research to deliver the ultimate long-haul experience. Each suite features an 80-inch flat bed and a separate reclining armchair, with a large flexible work and dining space for one or two people, a full-length wardrobe, and multiple personal storage areas. The new First suites have undergone months of testing to map peak pressure points, resulting in a multi-layer memory foam mattress engineered for optimal pressure distribution. Lighting in each suite can be programmed to support a customer’s circadian rhythm. Supporting both privacy and service, a digital exterior suite panel will enable customers to discreetly communicate with crew throughout the flight.
The 52 Business suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. For the first time, Qantas Business suites will feature a sliding door for additional privacy, as well as an adjustable divider between the alternating centre seats. Each suite includes an 80-inch flat bed, a large dining table and work surface, and increased storage options. Flexible dining is being planned for Business, letting customers choose to time their meals with scientifically optimised windows, in line with the circadian research that has informed every aspect of the Sunrise cabin design. Luminescent lighting will dim at optimised intervals to ease customers towards sleep.
The 40-seat Premium Economy cabin is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration and has been redesigned from the ground up for ultra long-haul travel. Every seat features an ergonomic leg and calf rest system for full leg cradling, an 8-inch winged privacy headrest, dedicated amenity and personal storage pockets, and what will be the most generous seat pitch of any Qantas aircraft. A custom multi-layer memory foam system, tested across ergonomic modelling, lumbar support and pressure mapping, has been developed specifically for this cabin.
The 140-seat Economy cabin, configured in a 3-3-3, offers more generous seat pitch overall than any current Qantas aircraft. The new Economy seat also features a custom-designed multi-layer memory foam system which has undergone the same testing as Premium Economy, with woven wool upholstery in an earthy Australian ‘Pilbara Red’, improving breathability and temperature on long-haul journeys. Customers will also have a new way to add comfort to the Economy experience through Qantas Economy Plus. Positioned at the front of the A350-1000ULR cabin, the 42 Economy Plus seats offer a 34-inch pitch, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead baggage space. More than 70% of seats on the aircraft will offer a pitch of 33 inches or more, the most generous of any Qantas aircraft. Qantas Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers receive complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at the time of booking, and Gold Frequent Flyers from 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.
Across all cabins, customers will have the option to pre-select meals before they fly.
Qantas will be the first airline in the world to offer a purpose-built inflight Wellbeing Zone, located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Designed by Caon Design Office, the zone features sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, a guided on-screen movement programme, a hydration station, and a range of premium refreshments.
A new inflight entertainment system, the airline’s most significant upgrade in over a decade, has been designed to be as intuitive as the technology customers use every day.
The on screen ‘journey planner’, synced with the cabin lighting, shows when meals are served and when the cabin dims for rest, so customers can plan their flight across the full journey. The system is available in 15 languages, remembers viewing history, and allows customers to share a movie with up to three others through a ‘watch together’ feature. Fast inflight WiFi and Bluetooth pairing are available across all cabins.
“Project Sunrise has given us the chance to think differently about every aspect of the onboard experience,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson. “Working closely with Charles Perkins Centre over many years, we’ve designed the experience around the science of what the body needs on a long flight, so customers arrive feeling their best. This will be a completely new way to travel, and our customers are going to feel that from the moment they step onboard.”
Further customer trials and testing of the new cabin features are underway, ahead of the first Project Sunrise flights launching in 2027. Project Sunrise will eventually connect Australia’s east coast with other international destinations, with Sydney-New York confirmed as the next service to follow Sydney-London. Launch timing for these services will be announced next year.
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