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Qantas has unveiled prototypes of the luxury First and Executive cabins of the plane that will carry passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025.
A virtual reality flight of the plane’s cockpit has also been revealed.
The cabins, Qantas reveals, have been designed by Australian studio Caon Design, as well as sleep scientists from the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney.
The non-stop flight program, dubbed ‘Project Dawn’, will use a fleet of 12 Airbus A350-1000s that will ‘overcome the tyranny of distance’, and passengers on the flights, which will last around 20 hours, will enjoy cabins with ‘the most sophisticated and thoughtful design of any airline’.
The key to cabin design, Qantas says, is to give passengers more space, configuring A350s to accommodate 238 passengers compared to the 300-plus seat layout featured by other airlines.
Qantas has unveiled luxury First (above) and Business cabin prototypes on the plane that will carry passengers non-stop from Sydney to New York and London from late 2025.
The first-class suite (above), ‘has a host of features to make guests feel like they’re in a miniature boutique hotel room’
First Class seats will have an extra-wide fixed bed, separate recliner, personal cloakroom, dining table for two and a 32-inch ultra-high-definition television.
The Qantas A350 will have 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 variety of features to make guests feel like they are in a mini boutique hotel room with an extra-wide fixed bed, separate recliner, personal wardrobe, dining table for two and a 32” chair. -on ultra high definition television’.
Meanwhile, business class passengers will have seats with privacy doors, reclining two-meter (6ft 5in) beds, ‘generous’ storage space including a large mirror, padded leather ottomans, high-end touchscreen TVs 18 inch definition, large dining tables and ‘feature lighting’.
Qantas adds that both classes will offer “multiple personal device charging options, including induction wireless charging.”
In addition, “fast and free” high-speed Wi-Fi will be offered throughout the aircraft, along with Bluetooth connectivity.
It will also feature a ‘wellness area’ for all passengers.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the investment in the new A350 aircraft and approach to cabin design continues Qantas’ 100-year history of ‘firsts’ in aviation.
He said: ‘Qantas has been the 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 the flight project. sunrise.
Business class passengers will have seats (upstairs) with privacy doors, two-meter (6ft 5in) reclining beds and ‘generous’ storage
The Qantas A350 will have 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 sophisticated and thoughtful design of any airline, combining cutting-edge technology with sleep research to shape the appearance of what is effectively a new era of travel.
“We are building on the customer experience of our extremely popular non-stop flights from Perth to London as we continue to work to make it easier for Australia to connect with the rest of the world.”
Australian designer David Caon said every possible opportunity has been taken to promote well-being and comfort in the First and Executive Suites.
He said: ‘We started designing this aircraft cabin five years ago, working with Airbus and Qantas to maximize space, as well as creating a bespoke lighting program that will influence mood and sleep patterns.
“All of the design and service elements will work together to significantly improve onboard comfort, convenience and health and well-being and help minimize the old enemy of jet lag.
“Every element has been created for Qantas, from the reading light to the fabrics, to ensure that passengers spend their journey in refined comfort.
“There are also a number of storage design elements to keep personal items close at hand so each passenger can customize the space to feel like they’re in their own bed at home.”
A cutaway of the A350-1000 that will fly for around 20 hours non-stop between Sydney, New York and London.
In 2019, Qantas carried out three research flights using ‘human guinea pigs’ to test the impact of ultra-long-haul routes on passengers and crew.
The first non-stop test flight operated between New York and Sydney, carrying 49 passengers and crew.
The second flight was from London Heathrow to Sydney, with a similar number of people.
A third test flight was made between New York and Sydney.
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Center and the Alertness, Safety and Productivity Cooperative Research Center (Alertness CRC) were on board all three flights, collecting data on the health and well-being of passengers.
Qantas currently uses Boeing Dreamliners for direct flights between London Heathrow and Perth, a distance of 14,498 km (9,008 miles).
London to Sydney is a distance of 16,983 km (10,553 miles) and New York to Sydney is a distance of 15,979 km (9,929 miles).