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Qantas is introducing a dedicated “Wellbeing Zone” on its new Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. The airline developed the new cabin feature to improve the passenger experience on its ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise non-stop flights.
The airline has specifically designed the space to help passengers move, hydrate, and reduce the physical strain of flights lasting up to 22 hours.
The Wellbeing Zone will be located between the premium economy and economy cabins and will be available to passengers in all cabins. It is one of the most novel cabin features Qantas has planned for its A350 Project Sunrise fleet.
Why Qantas created the Wellbeing Zone
Qantas launched Project Sunrise to operate some of the world’s longest nonstop commercial flights. The first routes will connect Sydney nonstop with London and New York using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft.
Photo: Qantas
The airline worked with industrial designer David Caon and researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to study how lighting, movement, hydration, meal timing, and cabin layout could reduce jet lag and fatigue on ultra-long-haul flights.
The studies, conducted during a series of test flights, highlighted the importance of wellness to ensure all passengers arrive refreshed after record-setting long flights.
“We have spent just as much time on the second half of the aircraft as we did the front; in fact, we started studies on the Wellbeing Zone before any other area of the A350,” Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said about the project. “The new Project Sunrise flights give us the opportunity to rethink long-haul travel in its entirety, from aircraft cabin design to what ingredients we include on the in-flight menu.”
What passengers can expect inside the Wellness Zone
The Wellbeing Zone is designed as a dedicated movement and refreshment area rather than simply using extra galley space.
“We are the only airline in the world that will have a bespoke-designed onboard stretch and movement space,” Joyce said.
Photo: Qantas
According to Qantas, passengers will be able to:
Follow guided stretching and movement programs on large display screens
Use sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles for exercises
Access hydration stations and healthy self-serve snacks
Take a break from sitting during very long flights
The design uses areas around the A350’s mid-cabin door structure, creating room for passengers to stand and stretch without significantly reducing seating space.
To support passenger well-being, Qantas has also said the A350 cabins will feature circadian-rhythm lighting scenes such as “Sunrise,” “Sunset,” and “Awake,” helping travellers adjust to destination time zones and reducing jet lag.
More space throughout the aircraft
The Wellbeing Zone is only part of the airline’s wider comfort-focused strategy for Project Sunrise.
Qantas’ A350-1000ULR aircraft will carry just 238 passengers, significantly fewer than many other A350-1000 operators, supporting long-range flights while allowing for more spacious cabins and larger premium seating areas.
The cabin layout includes:
Six First suites
52 Business suites with sliding privacy doors
40 Premium Economy seats
140 Economy seats
Economy seating will be set at a 33” pitch, while premium economy will offer 40” pitch, making these the roomiest seats in Qantas’ long-haul fleet.
When will the new Qantas A350-1000 aircraft enter service?
Project Sunrise has faced several delays since it was first announced in 2017, but Qantas now expects its first A350-1000ULR deliveries in late 2026, with commercial nonstop flights beginning in northern summer 2027.
The airline plans to operate the aircraft on the Sydney–London and Sydney–New York routes initially, redefining air travel for passengers on ultra-long-haul flights.
Featured Image: Qantas
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