Qantas has released detailed information on the complete cabin design for its groundbreaking Airbus A350s. These planes, custom-designed to conquer long-haul air travel’s final frontier, will commence direct flights from Sydney to New York and London in late 2025.
Cutting-Edge Cabin Design
The design process for the cabin started in 2019. Tens of thousands of hours later, Qantas’ forward-thinking A350 cabin was realized. This intuitive design can comfortably accommodate 238 passengers for a remarkable journey of up to 22 hours non-stop from Australia to practically any destination around the globe. These transformative designs, coupled with Project Sunrise flights, will cut down point-to-point travel time by more than three hours compared to traditional routes with a single stopover.
World-First Wellbeing Zone
In a world-first initiative, Qantas is proud to offer a purpose-built Wellbeing Zone. Nestled between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, this dedicated area prioritizes passenger comfort and health. It’s equipped with sculpted wall panels, integrated stretch handles for easy exercise, a guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station to keep passengers well-hydrated, and a range of refreshments to enjoy during the long haul.
Enhanced Premium Economy and Economy Cabins
Both the 40-seat Premium Economy and 140-seat Economy cabins offer unparalleled spaciousness. With the most generous seat pitches of any Qantas aircraft to date, these cabins also provide ergonomic leg and foot rest systems for maximum comfort during the flight. Alongside this, there are handy personal storage options for passenger use. Technology has been thoughtfully integrated into every seat, with multiple fast USB-C charging ports available. Additional wireless charging facilities are also integrated into each premium seat.
Unrivalled Passenger Connectivity
Qantas’ A350 fleet goes above and beyond to keep passengers connected. It offers fast and free WiFi, ensuring that passengers can stay connected to the world below. Moreover, Bluetooth compatibility is provided across all cabins, allowing passengers to connect their personal headsets to the individual inflight entertainment screens.
Luxurious First Class and Business Suites
The aircraft showcases six spacious, enclosed First Suites, each designed to emulate a boutique hotel room’s luxury. Each suite boasts a 2-metre flat bed, a dining table for two, a separate recliner chair for relaxation, and a 32” 4K ultra-high definition touchscreen TV for entertainment. The 52 Business Suites also offer enhanced privacy with sliding doors. Each suite has a lay-flat bed, large dining table, customisable lighting, and an 18” 4K ultra-high definition touch screen TV.
Prioritizing Passenger Comfort and Wellbeing
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce emphasized that comfort and wellbeing across all cabins have been their key priorities during the design process. Despite the A350’s high percentage of premium seats, most customers will be travelling in the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, and they too deserve maximum comfort and wellbeing during their journey. The unique Wellbeing Zone and second half of the aircraft received as much attention as the front half in the design process.
Groundbreaking Cabin Design Driven by Scientific Research
Qantas has made strides in improving the flying experience by incorporating findings from a world-first scientific study focused on reducing jet lag and improving sleep and overall wellbeing. Australian designer David Caon and seat manufacturers worked closely together to incorporate this scientific data into the layout and seat designs. Meticulous detail was considered from testing thousands of sample fabrics to creating an entirely new Premium Economy seat exclusive to Qantas.
Redesigned Premium Economy and Economy Cabins for Maximum Comfort
The Premium Economy cabin, designed from scratch, offers increased support and a sense of privacy, thanks to the new headrest wings. An ergonomic foot and leg rest system allows the body to be cradled in recline, providing better sleep. Economy passengers also have a range of comfort features, including a 13″ OLED TV screen, a foot net, and conveniently placed storage space within arm’s reach. The redesigned Economy seat also offers an impressive 33 inches of legroom, making it one of the most spacious offerings on the market. All these enhancements create a sense of lightness and calm across the entire aircraft.
