The plane will be the first to have an on-flight wellbeing area (Picture: Qantas)
The worst thing about exploring the other side of the world is often getting there and back.
Not only is it costly, bad for the environment, and often extremely uncomfortable (unless, of course, you’re the first class type), there’s also the layovers, which can be long and boring – and not to mention the jet lag.
Obviously, this is all worth it once you land and get to spend some time in a tropical paradise, but it would be great if most of the negatives could be minimised.
Qantas, an airline planning to launch the longest non-stop flight from London Heathrow direct to Sydney, Australia, aims to do just that.
Not only will it completely get rid of layovers – for a high price tag, obviously – the airline also announced it would be introducing the ‘world’s first anti-jet lag measures’ on the 20-hour flight.
These measures include a ‘world-first wellbeing zone’ located between premium and economy, which will essentially be a small gym, with a hydration station, sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles as well as an on screen exercise guide.
They will also use ‘tailored cabin lighting schedules to facilitate adaptation to the destination time zone,’ based on research from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre which says that lighting has a significant effect on jet lag.
Food will also be tweaked to help reduce jet lag, with ingredients like chilli and chocolate – which have been found to improve traveller wellbeing – offered to passengers.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: ‘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.
‘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.’
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Wave goodbye to grogginess.