Aboard Qantas’ Record-Breaking A350 ‘Project Sunrise’ Jet

Qantas is preparing to break aviation records next year with the launch of the world’s longest commercial flights aboard its specially configured Airbus A350‑1000ULR. These new Project Sunrise services will link Sydney–London and Sydney–New York non‑stop, with flight times of up to 22 hours, overtaking today’s longest regular route between Singapore and New York, which clocks in at around 18.5 hours. You can explore the aircraft layout, cabin renders and technical details on Qantas’ dedicated page at https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/a350.html.

A350-1000ULR: Built For 22-Hour Flights

To make 22‑hour sectors possible, Qantas’ A350‑1000ULR is fitted with an additional 20,000‑litre rear centre fuel tank, extending the aircraft’s range beyond that of standard A350‑1000 variants. The first airframe is currently undergoing final checks and a two‑month flight‑testing programme in Toulouse ahead of delivery, with commercial services now targeted for the first half of 2027.

Unlike many A350 operators that seat 300+ passengers, Qantas has opted for a low‑density 238‑seat configuration to prioritise space, comfort and wellbeing on ultra‑long‑haul flights. The layout includes:

• 6 First Class suites
• 52 Business Class suites (1‑2‑1)
• 40 Premium Economy seats (2‑4‑2)
• 140 Economy seats (3‑3‑3)

This reduced seat count is central to the airline’s “science‑backed” approach to managing jetlag and passenger fatigue on flights that will cross more than 16,000 km and witness two sunrises in a single journey.

A World-First ‘Wellbeing Zone’ For All Passengers

One of the A350‑1000ULR’s most distinctive features is the Wellbeing Zone, a dedicated space located between Premium Economy and Economy that is open to every passenger on board. Designed in collaboration with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, the area includes:

• Integrated stretching supports and handles
• Large screens running guided movement and exercise programmes
• A self‑serve pantry with soft drinks, water and light, healthier snacks

The goal is to encourage regular movement, hydration and light activity, all proven to help reduce stiffness, improve circulation and mitigate jetlag on ultra‑long sectors. The wider cabin environment also supports this focus on wellbeing, with the A350 offering higher cabin humidity, lower equivalent cabin altitude and custom circadian lighting scenes such as “Sunrise”, “Sunset” and “Awake” to help the body adjust to destination time zones.

First Class: Separate Bed And Reclining Armchair

At the very front of the aircraft, Qantas’ six First Class suites are designed to feel more like a mini hotel room than a traditional seat. Compared to the current A380 First cabin, these suites offer around 50% more space, including:

• A 56 cm‑wide reclining armchair
• A separate two‑metre‑long fully flat bed
• Personal wardrobe and storage
• A large dining table for two
• A 32‑inch or larger 4K screen, with Bluetooth audio and device pairing

The separation of seat and bed allows passengers to dine, work or relax in the armchair while keeping the bed made up, mirroring the layout of some leading ultra‑luxury first‑class products on other global carriers.

Business Class: Wider Suites And Full Privacy

Behind First, the A350‑1000ULR features 52 Business Class suites in a 1‑2‑1 configuration, each with direct aisle access and sliding doors for full privacy. Qantas has increased the seat width to around 63.5 cm, roughly 2.5 cm wider than its A380 Business seats, and each suite converts into a two‑metre‑long flat bed with improved cushioning.

Business suites include:

• A one‑metre‑wide entry with 1.2 m privacy walls
• Wireless charging, USB‑A/C and AC power
• An 18‑inch 4K seatback screen with Bluetooth audio
• Additional cocktail and work surfaces, a cushioned ottoman and dedicated storage spaces

The visual design, by Caon Design in partnership with Qantas and the University of Sydney, aims to create a calmer, more residential feel with warmer tones, softer lighting and tactile finishes tailored for long‑haul rest.

Premium Economy And Economy: More Pitch, Smarter Comfort

Qantas has also invested heavily in Premium Economy and Economy, acknowledging that many Project Sunrise passengers will spend over 20 hours in these cabins.

In Premium Economy, the A350 offers:

• Around 1 metre of seat pitch (legroom)
• A 20.3 cm winged privacy headrest
• Enhanced recline and leg support
• Larger IFE screens with Bluetooth and power at every seat

In Economy, seats have:

• Around 83.8 cm of pitch, more generous than many global carriers and significantly above typical low‑cost carrier spacing of ~76 cm
• Calf rests and six‑way adjustable headrests
• Personal IFE screens with Bluetooth connectivity and power outlets

Every cabin benefits from fast, free high‑speed Wi‑Fi via Qantas’ partnership with Viasat, allowing passengers to stay connected, stream and work throughout the flight.

Project Sunrise: From Concept To 2027 Launch

Project Sunrise—Qantas’ plan to connect Australia’s East Coast non‑stop with cities like London, New York, Paris, Cape Town and Rio—was first floated in 2017, with initial test flights operated in 2019 to study crew and passenger wellbeing on ultra‑long routes. The Covid‑19 pandemic temporarily paused the programme, but in May 2022 Qantas confirmed an order for 12 Airbus A350‑1000ULR aircraft, locking in Sydney–London and Sydney–New York as the initial Sunrise routes.

The first commercial services are now scheduled for the first half of 2027, cutting up to four hours off current one‑stop itineraries and allowing travellers to board in Sydney and step off in London Heathrow or New York without changing planes. Qantas positions these flights as the next evolution of its long‑distance legacy, echoing the “double sunrise” Catalina flying boat services it operated during WWII between Western Australia and what is now Sri Lanka.

Summary

Qantas’ upcoming A350‑1000ULR promises to reshape the ultra‑long‑haul experience:

• 22‑hour non‑stop flights from Sydney to London and New York from 2027, using a low‑density 238‑seat layout designed around passenger wellbeing.
• A world‑first Wellbeing Zone, more spacious premium cabins, and upgraded Premium Economy and Economy with generous pitch, improved support and modern tech.
• Fast, free Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth audio and circadian‑informed lighting, all aimed at minimising jetlag and making record‑breaking flight times more comfortable.

To see detailed seat maps, cabin images and the latest Project Sunrise updates, visit Qantas’ official A350 hub at https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/a350.html.