Qantas Project Sunrise A350 Cabin Finalised for Sydney–London

Qantas Project Sunrise: A350 Cabin Finalised for Sydney–London

Qantas is about to take one of the biggest gambles in its history, and it’s already turning into a PR masterstroke.

The Australian flag carrier has finalised the cabin product for Project Sunrise, the world’s first non-stop flights between Sydney and London, launching in October 2027 on an ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000ULR.

This isn’t just a new plane; it’s a completely rethought long-haul experience, built around the science of what the body needs on a nearly 20-hour flight.

Why Project Sunrise Is a Big Gamble (and a PR Masterstroke)

Qantas Group is investing heavily to make Project Sunrise happen, hedging bets across the board for a future that will depend on how relevant this ultra-long-haul strategy remains in the medium to long term.

But there’s one thing that’s already clear: the announcement is a PR win.

The Kangaroo Route (Sydney–London) has been served by Qantas since 1947.
For the first time, it will be direct.
It’s highly likely the historic QF1 and QF2 flight numbers will be bestowed on these flights.

If Qantas had announced New York as the first destination instead, it would have been an own goal. Sydney–London is the prestige route, and doing it direct is a game-changer.

That doesn’t mean the long-term risk disappears. The real question is whether this strategy will stay relevant as the aviation landscape evolves. But for now, the excitement is undeniable.

The A350-1000ULR: Lowest Seat Density, Most Space

Qantas will configure its new A350-1000ULR with 238 seats across a four-class cabin:

6 First suites
52 Business suites
40 Premium Economy seats
140 Economy seats (including 42 Economy Plus)

This is the lowest seat density of any A350 in operation globally, meaning more space per guest on board.

Across the aircraft, seating, lighting, dining and wellbeing have been designed to work as one, helping customers:

Rest when they want to
Stretch out during the flight
Arrive feeling refreshed

First: Enclosed Suites with 80-Inch Flat Beds

The A350-1000ULR will feature six enclosed First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration.

Each suite includes:

An 80-inch flat bed
A separate reclining armchair
A large flexible work and dining space for one or two people
A full-length wardrobe
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, and a digital exterior suite panel lets guests discreetly communicate with crew throughout the flight.

Business: First Sliding Doors in Qantas History

For the first time, Qantas Business suites will feature a sliding door for additional privacy, plus an adjustable divider between the alternating centre seats.

The 52 Business suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and include:

An 80-inch flat bed
A large dining table and work surface
Increased storage options

Flexible dining is being planned, letting customers time their meals with scientifically optimised windows, in line with the circadian research that has informed every aspect of the Project Sunrise cabin design.

Luminescent lighting will dim at optimised intervals to ease customers towards sleep.

Premium Economy: Redesigned for Ultra Long-Haul

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 8-inch winged privacy headrest
Dedicated amenity and personal storage pockets
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: More Pitch, More Comfort

The 140-seat Economy cabin is configured in a 3-3-3 and offers more generous seat pitch overall than any current Qantas aircraft.

The new Economy seat features:

A custom-designed multi-layer memory foam system (same testing as Premium Economy)
Woven wool upholstery in an earthy Australian “Pilbara Red”, improving breathability and temperature on long-haul journeys

Customers can also add comfort through Qantas Economy Plus:

42 Economy Plus seats at the front of the cabin
34-inch seat pitch
Priority boarding
Priority access to overhead baggage space

More than 70% of seats on the aircraft will offer a pitch of 33 inches or more, the most generous of any Qantas aircraft.

Qantas Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers receive complimentary access to Economy Plus at time of booking.
Gold Frequent Flyers receive access from 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.

Across all cabins, customers will have the option to pre-select meals before they fly.

The World’s First Inflight Wellbeing Zone

Qantas will be the first airline in the world to offer a purpose-built inflight Wellbeing Zone, located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

Sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles
A guided on-screen movement program
A hydration station
A range of premium refreshments

This is a game-changing addition for a flight that will last close to 20 hours.

Inflight Entertainment: A Major Upgrade

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.

Key features:

An on-screen journey planner, synced with cabin lighting, showing when meals are served and when the cabin dims for rest
Available in 15 languages
Remembers viewing history
Allows customers to share a movie with up to three others through a “watch together” feature
Fast inflight Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing across all cabins

Designed Around Science, Not Just Style

Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas Group, said Project Sunrise has given them the chance to think differently about every aspect of the onboard experience.

She explained that working closely with the Charles Perkins Centre over many years, Qantas has 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 customers are going to feel that from the moment they step on board.

David Caon, Founder of Caon Design Office, added that passenger experience, from comfort levels to wellbeing, drove their process as they carefully considered the cabin environment’s design.

He said they 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.

Further customer trials and testing of the new cabin features are underway ahead of the first Project Sunrise flights taking off in 2027.

Beyond Sydney–London: Sydney–New York Next

Project Sunrise will eventually connect Australia’s east coast with other international destinations.

Sydney–London is the first, launching in October 2027
Sydney–New York is confirmed as the next service to follow

Launch timing for these services will be announced next year.

The Bottom Line: Prestige, Risk and a New Way to Fly

Project Sunrise is a bold move:

Prestige: Direct Sydney–London on the Kangaroo Route for the first time, likely with QF1/QF2
Innovation: Sliding-door Business, enclosed First, Wellbeing Zone, science-driven lighting and dining
Space: Lowest seat density on any A350, with ultra-generous seat pitch across all cabins
Risk: A significant long-term gamble on ultra long-haul viability

For travellers, the promise is clear: a completely new way to travel, where you step off a nearly 20-hour flight feeling refreshed instead of wrecked.

If Project Sunrise pays off, Qantas won’t just have won the PR round; it will have redefined what ultra long-haul can feel like.