Qantas has finally unveiled the cabins that will equip the Airbus A350-1000 dedicated to its famous Project Sunrise. And the result is really exciting!
Qantas’ Project Sunrise
Under the name Project Sunrise lies Qantas’ ambition to serve cities such as London and New York and then Paris or Frankfurt with direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne.
Today, the range of existing aircraft only allows this to be done from Perth and this is the reason for the choice of the A350-1000 which, even if it does not have the ULR (Ultra Long Range) designation, will have the same tank capacity as the A350-900ULR.
A specific approach for the Project Sunrise cabins
Qantas could not equip the Project Sunrise aircraft with the cabins found on other aircraft in its fleet for two reasons.
First of all, for reasons of weight: over such distances, we reach the limit of the aircraft’s autonomy, so we can fly at maximum load.
Secondly, for the well-being of the passengers: what is acceptable for a 10-hour flight is not acceptable for an 8-hour flight. And not only for comfort reasons, but also for medical reasons.
Project Sunrise therefore requires less dense cabins and proportionally fewer economy seats than a normal aircraft (140 out of 258).
Just under a year ago Qantas unveiled sketches of the A350-1000’s cabins and since last week we have had almost definitive images of the first and business class cabins.
The first class cabin of the Qantas A350-1000
The new Fist Class is a suite that is intended to look like a hotel room.
Note the 1.4m high partitions. It looks a little lower than Lufthansa’s future First, but in the end the product is at least as attractive, if not more so, with a completely separate seat and bed.
Also noteworthy are the 32″ (81cm) screens
The bed will be 2m long.
The configuration of the 1st class will be 1-1-1.
The new Qantas 350-1000 business class
All business seats will have direct access to the aisle which is in line with market standards, with a 1-2-1 configuration and each suite will have a sliding door, again a strong trend.
There too the seat, when in bed position, will be 2m.
And finally, here is what it looks like on video.
Bottom line
Qantas’ Project Sunrise is beginning to take shape and we now know what the First and Business of the 12 A350-1000s that will operate these flights will look like.
The first flights are expected to take place in 2025.
