Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
7 min of reading 
0 comments 
New Qantas A350 Will Be The Plane For The Longest Flight In The World, Linking Australia To London And New York In Up To 22 Hours, With Fewer Connections, More Comfort On Board And Cabin Designed To Reduce Jet Lag, With Private Room.
The longest flight in the world is about to take on a new face. The Australian airline Qantas has ordered 12 units of the Airbus A350-1000ULR to operate the longest flight in the world on direct routes between Australia and destinations such as London and New York, with up to 22 consecutive hours in the air and a redesigned cabin to support such long journeys.
In practice, Qantas’ bet is to transform the longest flight in the world into a high-standard product, reducing the total travel time by up to four hours compared to routes with connections and offering more comfort, space, and services focused on the well-being of those facing almost an entire day inside the plane.
How The New Airbus Will Operate The Longest Flight In The World
-
Chaos On Airplane Could Be Expensive: Proposal Aims To Prevent Disruptive Passengers From Flying For Up To 1 Year In Brazil And Face Fines Of Up To R$17,500
-
Man Arrested After Halting Takeoff of Fire Department Helicopter During Child Rescue in Guaratuba
-
With 37 Tons of Cargo, Over 8,000 km Range, and Ability to Land on Unpaved Runways, the Airbus A400M Demonstrates How Europe Created a Military Giant That Transports Armored Vehicles, Aerially Refuels Fighters, and Operates in Conflict Zones and Humanitarian Missions Worldwide
-
Emergency Landing in Campos Amarais After Bird Strike on Small Plane
The A350-1000ULR is an ultralong-range version of the A350-1000 model, developed to allow the aircraft to fly for up to 22 hours nonstop.
According to Qantas, these aircraft will have the capacity to cross the planet linking Australia directly to London and New York, on routes that may exceed the current record for the duration of a nonstop commercial flight.
Currently, the title of the longest flight in the world belongs to a route operated by Singapore Airlines, with about 18 hours linking New York to Singapore.
With Qantas’ new project, the threshold rises and opens space for even longer segments, keeping the aircraft in the air for nearly an entire day.
To enable this performance, the A350-1000ULR received an additional tank with a capacity for more than 20 thousand liters of fuel, extending the range compared to the standard version of the A350 family.
The combination of more fuel, aerodynamic efficiency, and modern engines makes the longest nonstop flight in the world possible, according to the manufacturer and the airline.
Project Sunrise: Why Qantas Wants To Fly For 22 Consecutive Hours
The investment is part of Project Sunrise, the name given by Qantas to the plan to offer ultralong flights connecting Australia directly to major global centers.
The choice of the name is not accidental: on some routes, passengers will be able to see the sunrise twice during the flight, thanks to the combination of time zone and departure time.
The company argues that, despite the extended time inside the aircraft, the experience can be more comfortable than routes with two or three long connections at intermediate airports.
By eliminating stopovers, the passenger spends less time in lines, transfers, and boarding areas, concentrating the trip on a single long segment, but designed to offer rest.
According to Qantas, the commercial debut of the longest flight in the world with the new A350 is scheduled for the first half of 2027, after the assembly and testing of the first aircraft, which is already in the Airbus production line in Toulouse, France.
Fewer Seats, More Space: How The Cabin Of The Longest Flight In The World Will Be
To face nearly 22 hours in the air, Qantas decided to limit the number of passengers. Instead of accommodating nearly 300 people, as in many traditional versions of the A350-1000, Qantas’ A350-1000ULR will carry a maximum of 238 passengers per flight.
By reducing the number of seats, the airline gains space to expand common areas, create wellness zones, and offer more spacious seats in all classes.
The cabin will be divided into four main classes: first class, business class, premium economy, and economy.
Private Room, Bed, And 32-Inch TV In First Class
The highlight is in first class, designed to transform the longest flight in the world into something akin to a mini hotel room in the sky. Each of the six seats in first class will feature:
- Private room with reclining seat and separate bed
- 32-inch TV
- Six areas for storing personal items
- Personal wardrobe
- Dedicated space for working and dining more privately
The idea is for the passenger to be able to sleep comfortably, work with some ergonomics, and have meal moments without the typical cramped feeling of a full aircraft.
Business Class With 2-Meter Seat That Turns Into Bed
Next comes business class, segmented for those who want higher comfort but don’t need the full suite of first class. In this cabin, Qantas promises:
- Wide seat, about 2 meters long when fully reclined, forming a bed
- 18-inch individual screen for entertainment
- Large side table
- Wireless charger for devices
- Storage area for personal items
- Option to partially close the cabin for more privacy
In this segment, the goal is to ensure that the passenger can rest during a good part of the 22-hour journey, alternating between work, meals, and sleep with the maximum possible comfort within the limits of a commercial cabin.
Premium Economy And Economy Rethought For The Longest Flight In The World
In premium economy, Qantas promises an intermediate experience, with more space and resources compared to traditional economy. Among the highlights are:
- Leg and head supports
- 13.3-inch screen for entertainment
- Personal overhead compartment for storing small items
In economy class, which will have 140 seats, the company emphasizes that there will be:
- Adjustable headrest
- Extra legroom compared to older models
- 13.3-inch individual screen per passenger
Even being the simplest class, Qantas knows that the longest flight in the world doesn’t forgive prolonged discomfort, which is why it emphasizes improvements in ergonomics, entertainment, and small convenience details.
Wellness Zone And Wi-Fi To Face 22 Hours Of Travel
Another central point of the project is the creation of a wellness zone in the middle of the cabin.
This common space will be dedicated for passengers to get up, stretch their legs, hydrate, and have small snacks during the flight.
The idea is to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and the physical impact of staying seated for such a long time, encouraging people to circulate the aircraft at specific moments guided by the crew.
Additionally, Qantas promises to offer Wi-Fi throughout the flight, allowing passengers to work, chat with family, and watch streaming content during much of the 22 hours in the air.
Lighting And Sleep: Combating Jet Lag On The Longest Flight In The World
To make the journey more bearable, the company says it has worked with sleep and chronobiology experts.
The goal is to adapt lighting, temperature, and meal times to the biological rhythm of passengers.
During the longest flight in the world, the cabin lighting will be adjusted in different stages to simulate the natural cycle of day and night, helping the body understand when it’s time to sleep or stay awake. Meals will also follow a specific planning, designed to reduce jet lag upon arrival.
The expectation is that, upon landing in London or New York after up to 22 hours of flight, the passenger will arrive less disoriented and better able to quickly resume their routine in the new time zone.
Assembly Line In Toulouse And Timeline Until Debut
Airbus has already begun assembling the first unit of Qantas’ A350-1000ULR at its factory in Toulouse, France.
According to the company, front, central, and rear fuselage sections have already been installed, as well as wings, tail, and landing gear.
After this structural phase, the plane undergoes system installation, interior finishing, ground tests, and, finally, certification flights.
Only after this battery of tests will the aircraft be cleared to operate the longest flight in the world with passengers, within the timeline that points to the commercial debut in the first half of 2027.
The total order includes 12 aircraft, which should allow Qantas to set up a specific network of ultralong flights, directly connecting Australia to major markets in Europe and North America.
What Changes For Those Traveling Between Australia, Europe, And The United States
In practice, the new A350-1000ULR can shorten the journey between Australia and destinations like London and New York, reducing the total travel time by up to four hours compared to routes with connections at intermediate hubs.
For business travelers, this means less wear and tear with airports and a more predictable travel time.
For tourists, the promise is of a simpler experience: boarding in Australia and disembarking directly in Europe or the United States, without needing to change planes along the way.
Qantas bets that the complete package of comfort, technology, wellness zones, and services adjusted for sleep will make a difference in public perception, even in the face of the marathon of up to 22 hours of flight.
And you, would you face the longest flight in the world with up to 22 hours in the air in exchange for fewer connections and more comfort on board, or do you still prefer to break the journey into smaller stages?
-
Uma pessoa reagiu a isso.