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 350-1000ULR has been configured with just 238 seats, the lowest seat density of any A350 around the world, giving every customer more space on board.
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 help customers rest when they want to, stretch out and arrive feeling refreshed.
First Class
The aircraft will feature six enclosed First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration. 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.
Business Class
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.
Premium Economy
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 eight-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.
Economy and Economy Plus
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 with woven wool upholstery 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.
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.
Wellbeing Zone
Qantas will also 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 program, a hydration station, and a range of premium refreshments.
Inflight Entertainment
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 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing are available across all cabins.
Reimagining the onboard experience
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said that the project has given the brand a chance to completely reimagine the onboard experience.
“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 on board,” Hudson said.
Caon Design Office founder David Caon said that every part of the cabin has been specifically designed for Qantas. “Passenger experience, from comfort levels to wellbeing, drove our process as we carefully considered the cabin environment’s design.
“We have spent years developing details, working with engineers and suppliers, developing bespoke materials and lighting, working through ergonomic considerations and collaborating with the Charles Perkins Centre. The goal has always been for customers to step off these flights feeling refreshed,” he said.
Further customer trials and testing of the new cabin features are underway, ahead of the first Project Sunrise flights taking off in 2027.
