Qantas reveals the premium seating options for its aircraft flying the world’s longest distances.
The deployment of such lines, which will be the longest nonstop routes in the world, is planned for late 2025.
Using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft with just 238 seats, including 12 Luxe First suites and 46 business suites, Qantas will operate the flights. In contrast, Qatar Airways’ A350-1000 has 327 seats.
The aircraft will have an extra fuel tank to help fly a distance of more than 11,000 miles between Sydney and London. Up to 21 hours could pass throughout the flights.
The Luxury First apartments appear to include a fixed single bed and a separate reclining lounge chair in photos. The beige and wood-colored paneled apartments will also include a 32-inch TV, a dining table for two people, and a wardrobe closet.
According to Qantas, “the roomy First suite offers a variety of features to give guests the impression that they are in a little boutique hotel room.”
The aircraft’s business class suite will include a large wood-paneled table, a leather ottoman, and a lie-flat seat with gray upholstery. There will be privacy doors in each suite.
The 40 premium economy seats will have a row pitch of 40 inches, which is two inches greater than what U.S. airlines generally provide in premium economy. The 140 economy seats on board will have a space between rows of 33 inches, which is one to three inches larger than the norm for American airlines.
Qantas has highlighted a focus on customer and worker welfare throughout the six years it has spent establishing the New York and London routes, a project it has dubbed Operation Sunrise.
All passengers will have access to what Qantas is referring to as a “Wellbeing Zone” that will be installed in the aircraft. The space will allow travelers to stretch their legs, including by performing exercises recommended on a digital display.
