Extra leg room and a wellness zone are among the perks being offered to Qantas economy passengers on flights lasting 22 hours.
The features are key to the airline’s pitch to passengers considering flying direct from Sydney to London or New York, saying it will cut down travel time by about three hours compared with stopover routes.
Purpose-built A350 planes will take off in late 2025 and carry up to 238 passengers, down from more than 300 in some other planes.
The wellness zone located between economy and premium economy will offer guided on-screen exercise programs and a refreshment station.
Passengers will also have extra leg room, an ergonomic leg rest and more personal storage options.
Menu offerings and cabin lighting schedules have also been adjusted for long flights, based off unpublished findings from a study the airline conducted with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.
Some 23 volunteers wore monitoring devices during trial flights in 2019 and self-reported less severe jet lag and cognitive performance in the days after their travel.
It’s the only airline in the world offering a specially designed place for movement, according to chief executive Allan Joyce.
“People can choose how they spend their time but we’ll make recommendations based on science around menu choices and best times to eat or rest,” he said.
“That extends to before and after the flight to improve how people feel when they arrive on the other side of the world.”
Previously announced features for business passengers include access to flat beds, sliding doors for more privacy and a bigger TV.
– AAP
