Australia’s Qantas are promising some hitherto unheard of features on their new ultra-long haul Project Sunrise aircraft. Since they will be regularly flying 20 hours or so without stopping, wellness is a priority.
According to the airline, passenger trends indicate that the ability to do some exercise is more important than amenities such as an inflight bar. To cater to this need, the airline is planning to be innovative.
Ultra-Long Haul Wellness
You may have seen people on long haul flights standing in the doorways in the middle of the night stretching. It is not uncommon and relieves the muscles after sitting down for so long.
For the Project Sunrise flights, there will be an entire dedicated area, nicknamed internally “the fourth zone”. This communal zone for exercise, health and wellness will be available to all passengers.
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- In the Qantas Perth International Transit lounge, you can join a stretching class
Featuring video screens with stretching exercises, perhaps based on those delivered in the Qantas international transit lounge in Perth, should mean it proves to be popular. It will also have hydration stations, which of course is a fancy way to say a place to get a healthy drink!
Qantas looked at using baggage hold space for something like bunks, but they have chosen not to go in this direction. They are currently designing a new first class suite to go on the aircraft, along with enhancements to their business class, premium economy and economy class offering, according to Flight Global.
Overall Thoughts
Both Airbus and Boeing are vying for the Project Sunrise order. The manufacturers have now been asked to present their best and final offers. These are due to be received by August, with an order looking likely to occur by the end of the year.
The Boeing 777-8 and both the Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A350-1000 are in the mix. Airbus state the Airbus A350-1000 is the more likely candidate in their range.
For me, I am curious about the cabin layout. Will the wellness area be situated at the rear of the aircraft or perhaps somewhere in the middle? How many people will be able to use it at once? What will the hydration stations offer?
There are so many questions that still remain to be answered, so it continues to be one to watch. What are your opinions on these developments? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Images via Qantas.
For coach and even premium economy, I think this is vital. If they go with slimline seats, I can’t imagine a 20 hour flight, even with a stretching area. For business or first, I’d much rather stretch at an onboard bar with a cocktail in front of me.
I imagine the seats will be similar to those currently on the Boeing 787-9 that operate the 17/18 hour flights between Perth and London. From all reports, these have the highest customer satisfaction at Qantas, so the extra three or so hours probably won’t make much difference, especially if it includes a wellness area.
I dont know why but every time I hear the word hydration, it seems to be a way to make a simple act, ie, drinking water, sound all fancy. Whatever happened to just drinking water
Hahaha! I hear you on that. They have “Quench Hydration Stations” in their lounges so I guess it comes from that a bit.