New dawn for aviation – Qantas’s ‘Project Sunrise’

QANTAS’S Project Sunrise is a benchmark in aviation. It’s the iconic Australian airline’s ambitious plan to connect Australia in a single non-stop flight with the longest of long-haul destinations where this was never previously possible. From October 2027, the airline will operate daily non-stop flights between Sydney and London using its new Airbus A350-1000 ultra-long- range aircraft. Tickets go on sale from February next year. The flight is expected to take 20-22 hours. It will be the first time the route has been flown without stops. Qantas has been flying between Sydney and London since 1947, when the original route took four days with seven stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome. These ultra-long-haul services will operate alongside Qantas’s existing Perth-London and Sydney-Singapore- London services. Qantas announced its plans to launch these direct flights in 2017, dubbing the preparations ‘Project Sunrise’. The Airbus A350-1000ULR was selected to operate the flights and 12 aircraft were ordered in May 2022. The aircraft is expected to operate more direct routes between Australia and other long-haul destinations, connecting Sydney to New York in around 18-19 hours. The routes offer shorter point-to-point travel times, reducing journeys by up to four hours compared with one-stop flights. Qantas’s first Airbus A350-1000ULR completed its maiden test flight at the beginning of June. The test flight took off from Toulouse and flew for three hours 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic Coast. The flight tested the aircraft’s primary systems including the aircraft’s specialised fuel system, which includes an additional 20 000 litre fuel tank. It’s that which enables commercial flights of up to 22 hours non-stop. The successful test flight marked the beginning of a two-month testing campaign, with the aircraft expected to complete around 80 hours of testing and undergo extensive on-ground checks. The first aircraft, named Vega, will be delivered in April 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. The aircraft The onboard experience has been designed to support the ultimate in comfort on these ultra long flights. The aircraft seats up to 238 passengers across four cabin classes. With its spacious design, the aircraft has the lowest seat count of any A350-1000 in service, with more than 40% of seats allocated to premium cabins – first, business and premium economy. It has a Wellbeing Zone and fast and free Wi-Fi in all cabins. First class The aircraft will feature six enclosed First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration. The suites feature a two-metre-long flat bed and separate reclining armchair, with a large flexible work and dining space for one or two people. A full- length wardrobe can also be found in each suite, along with several areas for personal storage. The suites offer 50% more space than the A380 suites. Business class Fifty-two Business suites will be arranged in 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 centre seats. The suite will include a large dining table and work surface, as well as increased storage options. Premium economy The Premium economy cabin, with 40 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration, will offer a blend of comfort and luxury with a 20,3cm winged privacy headrest that adjusts for maximum comfort, and a calf rest for full leg cradling. Economy class The 140 Economy seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. The seats will be Qantas’s most spacious economy-class seats at 83,8cm. Wellbeing Zone The A350 will feature Qantas’s first inflight Wellbeing Zone, situated between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins. Available to all passengers, the Wellbeing Zone gives passengers a space to enjoy guided wellbeing content to facilitate movement on board. Passengers seated in all classes can also help themselves to a selection of healthy refreshments