Qantas wants four classes, 300+ passengers in ultra-long range jets
By David Flynn, June 4 2018
Qantas is aiming to have its ultra-long range Project Sunrise jets carry over 300 passengers across four classes, with new seating on the radar from first class to economy and possibly a lounge or bar.
The airline is now working through the configuration of the globe-striding jets which will make the 18-20 hour trek from Sydney and Melbourne to London, New York, Paris and other key destinations.
Speaking to Australian Business Traveller on the sidelines of the IATA aviation summit in Sydney, Qantas International CEO Alison Webster said the airline was "looking at an aircraft configuration... around over (a) 300 passenger seat count for the economics to be in the right place for us," adding that "we're also looking at a four cabin configuration."
That's a lofty target compared to Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900ULR – one of the two aircraft competing for the Qantas' Project Sunrise order, up against the Boeing 777X – which will sport a two-class layout of just 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy seats when it begins non-stop flights to New York and Los Angeles towards the end of 2018.
Airbus has since said that it's considering an ultra-long range version of the larger A350-1000 which could help address Qantas' capacity goals, although Webster stressed that "we’re still moving around on the final numbers... these are all still works in progress (and) no definitive decisions have been made."
New seats for Project Sunrise
What's more certain is that new seats are on the agenda, even towards the back of the bus.
"We’ve recently put out the challenge around premium economy and economy seating in the Sunrise aircraft cabin to see what kind of a step change we can create for our customers," Webster said.
If the globe-striding jets also come with first class, then passengers at the pointy end will also be looking at an all-new design from the circa 2008 Marc Newson suites of Qantas' Airbus A380.
Webster says her team is also "looking at flexibility and different zoning in those aircraft."
Could this includes social spaces such as bars and lounges? “Potentially, yes," she allowed.
"We're looking at all the space within the aircraft and how we use that most effectively. This is about reimagining how ultra-long haul travel will take place."
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce highlighted the ides of having sleeping berths, family rooms and other passenger facilities in the cargo hold, which Airbus has formalised into a family of custom-designed 'lower deck modules' which would be interchangeable with a standard cargo container.
Also read: Airbus plans to put sleeping bunks into the cargo hold
"There's some really good ideas coming from Airbus and our team," he told Australian Business Traveller, "so we're bouncing ideas off each other about what you could do with the aircraft. If it doesn’t have the full capability of all-premium seats, is there something else that we could do there?"
Joyce also says the Project Sunrise jets will come with superfast WiFi capable of streaming HD video, using the same high-speed satellite technology as its domestic fleet.
Qantas expects to place its order for what Webster calls "a hub-busting aircraft" in 2019, with flights to London and New York beginning in 2022.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
05 May 2016
Total posts 593
Any chance of a shower for First Class passengers?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
I doubt it, to get the range these aircraft need to be very light and the showers or more particularly the water the showers use is not.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
Sure and a swimming pool too!
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1137
This specification makes the A350-1000 the only real contender with the 787-8. The issue is how to put more fuel tanks in, which they do not have to do with the A359 ULR. How to do that in a cost effective way (without too many changes to landing, gear pumps, wings etc) will be the puzzle airbus are working on.
29 Aug 2013
Total posts 60
The A350ULR has extra tanks compared to the A359 and the new winglets developed for the ULR are being fitted to all A359’s once certified. Plumbing only has to be configured to allow for the triple bogey gear that the -1000 has and that is minor in the scheme of things.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 120
The A359ULR does NOT have extra fuel tanks compared to the regular A359. They utilise more of the unused capacity in the existing tanks.
29 Aug 2013
Total posts 60
Yes you are correct re the A359ULR and I do apologise. I had my wires crossed with the A321LR which has the additional tank. Lesson is to not be posting at 4:45am in future!
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 100
TORTURE. The gentleman QF truly thinks its ok to put people on flights for 20+ in a small seat smashed in the back. INHUMANE!! Should be illegal. Of course, if the people of Australia and the world do not speak up and say NO, you cannot treat us like animals, he will get away with this, along with others. Speak up and tell Qantas NO!!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3059
We welcome all readers to express their views, but will remind you of AusBT's comment policy which outlines that making personal comments or remarks about others is not acceptable here. Your comment has been edited in line with this policy.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 345
People as always are welcome to vote with their feet. If they don't feel like taking these proposed flights, they have a large amount of other options. You are not being forced onto these flights.
13 Sep 2013
Total posts 115
Torture!? Aren’t we getting a little carried away.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 87
Should be illegal.
QFF
16 May 2016
Total posts 63
Mate, you don't have to buy the ticket.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 334
Please, Qantas, if you go with the 777X, PLEASE don't go for a 3-4-3 config in economy. 20 hour flights would be a living hell and would not get my business.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 345
From what I have read, standard config will be 3-4-3 in economy. However they will be designing the internal cabin with extra room to still allow 18" wide seats. There won't be any 777X 3-3-3 configs.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Mar 2018
Total posts 15
How is 3-4-3 any different from 3-3-3 from a seat perspective, either way you'll have to climb over 1 person if in the middle, or over 2 if you're at the window.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 334
Because in the current 777 configs, a 3-3-3 config usually means an extra inch of shoulder room. Compare VA to Emirates for instance, it makes a huge difference.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 104
777X has a wider internal cabin due to newer tech, thus allowing a decent seat width with 3-4-3. QF will never go back to 3-3-3, but at least it appears the 777X width will preclude 11 across!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 87
As long as thy put some colour changing LED's , you'll be fine!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Apr 2017
Total posts 2
2-4-2 configuration fr me
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2017
Total posts 50
Im still hoping someone gets a workable 2-5-2 implemented!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 259
Would hate to be in the middle seat of the 5 seater.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 3
Okay VIRGIN Australia, Ideal chance for you to start Perth - Cape Town route as you are anyways operating from T2!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2016
Total posts 169
If QF can genuinely pull off this kind of aircraft - with exercise or social spaces (ie room to move), innovations in seating and new viable routes, I’ll be impressed. I personally don’t mind a stopover but would do ULH in that kind of aircraft. Is it possible? We’ll see.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
23 Oct 2014
Total posts 186
Without even a bar on 787 I wouldn’t hold my breath for “exercise areas” or the like. Just carn’t see them investing in this space with no track record here.
03 May 2012
Total posts 114
I often see comments about exercise areas in articles on ultra long haul flights. I would hate to sit sweaty in a cramped seat for the rest of a flight, and would not like the prospect of sitting next to someone else who was aromatic from sweat. If exercise means no more than gentle walking, then ok, but, otherwise, no shower equals no exercise.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2435
I agree completely and suggest this could need to be reframed as a stretching area, with some basic equipment or setup etc similar to what you see at some public bars - just some strategically-placed bars, a wheel and what-not with instructions on how to use them, all designed not to get up a sweat but just to encourage passengers to stretch and move.
05 May 2016
Total posts 593
The only reason I would think they might consider a bar would be if weight restrictions would mean that putting seating in that area would be a waste. But of course airlines like to put a spin on things.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1137
I think the term 'bar' is generous. I suspect not staffed, but self service just like the snack/drink areas on the A380. It reduces requests to staff.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2012
Total posts 20
I flew on a 2-5-2 with Korean airlines 10 years back from SYD to Sth Korea... what a nightmare flight... only 1 large screen at the front of economy for their so called entertainment; food shocking and the seats were obviously designed for much smaller people... thankfully I wasn't in the middle...
22 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
Possibly the use of the underfloor cargo area on the A350-1000 as the toilet area - read cut the line-up - would be a big plus, also a lite exercise area. If the 1000 can go the distance, pax numbers would be ideal for Q.F.
06 Jun 2018
Total posts 2
ABSOLUTELY LEGISLATE AGAINST ULTRA LONG HAUL ECONOMY.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
300 people in 4 class,we believe this when we see it,
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Aug 2014
Total posts 76
What is the chances that we can get Allan Joyce & his staff to sit in a economy seat from Perth to London, you think he might understand after 63 cramps 500 rotations of the neck and 14573 hand shakes for the pins & needles what economy passengers feel.
23 Nov 2012
Total posts 24
Will a stretched A380 be able to service ultra long haul? I understand Airbus have have them on the drawing board just waiting for orders. The dumpy dugong is begging to be lengthened, as was the B 737-100.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2017
Total posts 50
A stretched A380 would actually have less range.
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