Qantas shows ways to reduce Jetlag
Researchers from the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney and the Australian airline Qantas have found that by altering the inflight travel experience, jetlag can be lessened. On such a long flight as London to Sydney, which is dubbed “Project Sunrise” wellness in the air is particularly important. Qantas have been looking at how they can enhance their customer’s wellbeing on what will be the world’s longest scheduled commercial flight.
Long-haul flights with different lighting and sleep schedules, meal times, and particular components like chocolate and chilli have been demonstrated to boost traveller well-being. Unsurprisingly, exercise and movement are important components.
The groundbreaking study was carried out on test flights for Qantas’ Project Sunrise program, which will launch direct flights from Sydney to New York and London in late 2025.
Since it first started making plans to start direct flights from Perth to London in 2015, the airline has collaborated with the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney.
Qantas operated three Project Sunrise research flights from New York and London to Sydney in 2019 in partnership with Australian researchers to collect real-world passenger data.
Researchers travelled on the aircraft and monitored 23 volunteer customers who were fitted with wearable device technology during the 20-hour flights as they followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences.
Initial results, which have not yet been published, show that passengers on the customized timetable reported the following differences from those on a conventional in-flight eating and sleeping sequence:
- less severe jet lag (self-reported)
- better sleep quality inflight
- better cognitive performance in the two days after flight
The in-flight trials included included stretch and mobility activities as well as customized cabin lighting patterns to promote acclimatization to the destination time zone.
By employing certain menu items like fish and chicken mixed with fast-acting carbs, as well as comfort foods like soups and milk-based sweets, they also changed the schedule of meal services to match the body clock and encouraged wake and sleep. The idea was to encourage the brain’s creation of the amino acid tryptophan in order to make it easier for passengers to fall asleep.
An onboard Wellbeing Zone, inspired by the research and presented today in New York, is part of the specially modified Airbus A350s that Qantas will use for Project Sunrise flights. Here, passengers may take a break from their travels to stretch and perform quick exercises while being directed by video screens.
While the research was still in progress, according to Peter Cistulli, professor of sleep medicine at the University of Sydney, there were unmistakable indications that the measures taken during the trial flights lessened the effects of extremely long-haul travel.
“The early results are promising, and it’s given us great momentum to look to the next stage of customer research to support Project Sunrise product and service design,” said Professor Cistulli.
“We have a multi-disciplinary team of more than ten researchers from medicine, science and engineering backgrounds working together on this project. This includes sleep researchers, circadian experts, nutrition and movement experts. No airline has ever done this kind of research before.
“The early findings have given us optimism that we can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of international travellers thanks to this partnership with Qantas.”
Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Group, stated that the national carrier was enthusiastic about the possibility of reducing jet lag and revolutionizing international travel for all travelers.
“Given our geography, Qantas has a long history of using imagination and innovation to overcome the tyranny of distance between Australia and the rest of the world,” said Mr Joyce.
“Now that we have the aircraft technology to do these flights, we want to make sure the customer experience evolves as well, and that’s why we’re doing this research and designing our cabins and service differently.
“Our A350s will have about 100 fewer seats than most of our competitors, which gives us room for more space in all classes as well as a Wellbeing Zone for Premium Economy and Economy passengers to stretch. 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. That extends to before and after the flight to improve how people feel when they arrive on the other side of the world.
“Importantly, these direct flights actually cut total travel time by more than three hours compared to one-stop services.”
Later this year, experts from Charles Perkins Centre and Qantas will collaborate for the first time to design the lighting settings for the aircraft, including examining the ideal brightness and color tone settings for each phase of the flight, at Airbus’ Hamburg headquarters.
In parallel, research has been conducted to manage the well-being of the crew on these flights, which also incorporates knowledge from other Qantas-operated ultra-long-haul flights.
The Project Sunrise launch route between Sydney and New York is anticipated to begin operations shortly after Qantas receives its first A350, which is slated to arrive in the latter half of 2025.
A350 Cabin Including Wellbeing Zone
Qantas has finally showed the whole interior of its specially designed Airbus A350 aircraft, which will begin direct flights from Sydney to New York and London in late 2025.
The airline showcased its luxe First and Business cabins in February and has now unveiled the rest of the aircraft interior, including a unique dedicated Wellbeing Zone, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
The Qantas A350 cabin of the future, which will carry 238 passengers for up to 22 hours nonstop to and from Australia.
Compared to routes with one stop, the Qantas Project Sunrise flights will reduce point-to-point travel time by more than three hours.
Between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, Qantas will be the first airline in the world to offer a specially designed “Wellbeing Zone” with sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, a guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station, and a variety of beverages.
The 140-seat Economy cabin and the 40-seat Premium Economy cabin, which were just shown, will offer the largest seat pitches of any Qantas aircraft, as well as ergonomic leg and footrest systems and personal storage options.
Multiple quick USB-C charging connections will be available in each seat across all four cabins, and each premium seat will also include inbuilt wireless charging.
More than any other airline, Qantas’ A350 aircraft will provide passengers with fast, free WiFi, and all cabins will have Bluetooth connectivity so that passengers can connect their own headsets to the individual in-flight entertainment screens.
Six spacious enclosed First Suites with a 32″ 4k ultra-high definition touch screen TV and a 2-meter flat bed will be available on the aircraft. These suites will be designed to seem like mini-boutique hotel rooms.
The 52 Business Suites will have sliding doors for more privacy, a lay-flat bed, a huge dining table, custom lighting, and an 18″ 4K UHD touch screen TV.
While the Qantas A350 will have a significant number of premium seats onboard, the majority of passengers will fly in the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, thus maximizing comfort and wellness in all cabins was a goal, according to Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce.
“The new Project Sunrise flights give us the opportunity to re-think long-haul travel in its entirety, from aircraft cabin design to what ingredients we include on the inflight menu.
“Reducing the number of seats onboard our A350 to 238 compared to the 300-plus seat layout of other carriers means we not only maximise aircraft performance across long distances, we give our passengers more space and comfort.
“Fewer seats translate to more space for each customer and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for travellers to stretch, help themselves to a snack and spend time out of their seat. We are the only airline in the world that will have a bespoke designed onboard stretch and movement space.”
Australian architect David Caon collaborated closely with seat producers and incorporated the research considerations into the general architecture of the cabin.
“The Premium Economy cabin has been redesigned from the ground up with a focus on ergonomics, entertainment and privacy,” Mr Caon said.
“The new headrest wings are the biggest visible difference and will provide passengers with both additional support and a sense of privacy without isolating them from travel companions. An upholstered ergonomic foot and leg rest system allows the body to be cradled in recline to better help passengers sleep.”
“Economy travellers also have an OLED 13” TV screen, foot net and convenient storage space within arms’ reach to store glasses and personal items. The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat which will have 33 inches of legroom.
“In both the Premium Economy cabin and Economy cabins, we have redesigned every element of the seats to provide better features as well as a fresh look across the entire aircraft to create a sense of light and calm,” added Mr Caon.
