In May 2022, Qantas placed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s, which will mark an exciting new chapter for the airline. These planes will be used for “Project Sunrise” flights, whereby Qantas intends to fly nonstop from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London starting in late 2025.
Qantas has slowly been releasing more details about the passenger experience we can expect onboard these jets. With Qantas having just resumed flights to New York (via Auckland), the airline has now revealed all the details about the four cabins on the A350-1000. Let’s recap all the details.
In this post:
Basics of Qantas Airbus A350-1000 layout
Qantas’ A350-1000s will feature just 238 seats, spread across four cabins, including first class, business class, premium economy, and economy. Qantas will have the fewest seats of any A350-1000 operator in the world. This very sparse configuration serves a couple of main purposes:
- In order for these flights to be profitable, Qantas will have to heavily focus on premium traffic, so having more premium seats makes it easier to maximize revenue
- Having fewer seats keeps the weight of the aircraft down, enabling these flights to be operated nonstop
As far as the general layout goes:
- First class will have a total of six seats, in a 1-1-1 configuration
- Business class will have a total of 52 seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- Premium economy will have a total of 40 seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration
- Economy will have a total of 140 seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration
Below is a video of the cabin layout on Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000s, and then below I’ll talk more about each cabin.
Qantas Airbus A350 first class suite
Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000s will each feature six first class suites, and will be a completely new product compared to what’s available on the Airbus A380. Here are some basic details of the new first class suites:
- First class suites will feature both a reclining armchair (22″ wide) and a separate bed (80″ long), similar to what you’d find in Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites
- First class suites will have privacy doors and walls; you can expect that the walls will be 57″ tall, so they’re not floor-to-ceiling like in Emirates’ new 777 first class, but rather they’re more shoulder-height
- First class suites will feature plenty of storage, as you can place bags and belongings underneath the bed and ottoman, and there are also several storage compartments
- First class suites will feature a 32″ television with bluetooth audio, a personal wardrobe, and a mirror
- First class suites will feature tailored lighting, temperature, and humidification, for wellbeing
- First class suites will have multiple charging options, including AC power, USB-A, USB-C, and wireless
Below is some more information about the new first class suite, as well as some renderings.
This looks like a pretty solid product, and I can’t wait to see it in the flesh. Something tells me that this might be quite similar to Japan Airlines’ new A350 first class.
Qantas Airbus A350 business class seat
Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000s will each feature 52 business class seats, and will be a new product compared to what’s available on other jets. Here are some basic details of the new business class seats:
- Business class seats will be in a staggered configuration, with each suite being 42″ wide (that includes the seat and console to the side of it)
- Business class seats will feature 47″ high privacy walls and doors
- Business class seats will be 80″ long and 25″ wide when converted into a bed
- Business class seats will feature 18″ televisions with bluetooth audio
- Business class seats will have multiple charging options, including AC power, USB-A, USB-C, and wireless
- Business class seats will feature a personal storage compartment with mirror, a glove box, a work surface, and a cushioned ottoman
Below is some more information about the new business class seat, as well as some renderings.
This looks like a solid seat, though there’s nothing here that’s earth shattering or likely to wow, given the competition. Below is a video with a tour of the A350’s cabin.
Qantas Airbus A350 premium economy seat
Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000s will each feature 40 premium economy seats, and will be a new product compared to what’s available on other jets. Here are some basic details of the new premium economy seats:
- Premium economy seats will feature 40″ of pitch, which is more than you’ll currently find on any Qantas aircraft
- Premium economy seats will be an all-new product, with 8″ headrests that provide more of a sense of privacy
- Premium economy seats will have two USB-C outlets, but no AC power outlets
- Premium economy seats will have a legrest, and then a small footrest that swings down from the seat in front
- Premium economy seats will feature 13″ televisions with bluetooth audio
This looks like a really impressive premium economy product, if you ask me, and should be among the best in service. It’s nice that this is the case, given just how long these journeys will be.
Qantas Airbus A350 economy seat
Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000s will each feature 140 economy seats. While the airline is introducing new seats in economy, there’s nothing too revolutionary here:
- Economy seats will feature 33″ of pitch, 2″ more than the industry standard
- Economy seats will feature 13″ televisions with bluetooth audio, plus personal entertainment device holders
- Economy seats will have footrests that fold down from the seat in front
- Economy seats will have improved ergonomics, lumbar support, and breathability of seat fabrics, compared to previous generation products
- Economy seats will have a USB-C outlet, but no AC power outlet
Qantas’ A350 economy product looks about as good as you could expect, though it’s not like we see as much innovation with economy seating as we see with premium cabin seating.
Qantas Airbus A350 wellbeing zone
While Qantas’ A350 won’t feature a bar or showers, the plane will have what’s described as a wellbeing zone, which will be located between premium economy and economy. Presumably this will be open to all passengers.
This isn’t an area where passengers can sit (after all, they’ll have enough time to sit in their own seats!), but rather is intended to be a place where passengers can stretch, or grab a drink or snack. There will be TVs in this area with guided stretching exercises.
Mainly it seems like the intent is that the airline is offering people a place to stand without getting in the way of the crew, which will probably be much appreciated on a flight of this length.
What’s my initial impression of Qantas’ Airbus A350 wellbeing zone?
- Ultimately this seems more about keeping the weight of the A350 down than anything else
- The wellbeing zone is in an area where there’s an emergency exit, so I assume this will be in place of a galley, in an area where there couldn’t otherwise practically be seats
- I suspect this will ultimately be a nothingburger; it’s essentially a walk-up bar area, and those who want to stretch can stretch (but I suspect only a small percentage of passengers will do that)
- Even if there were some substance to this, realistically sharing such a zone with up to 237 other passengers limits how much value each passenger could get out of it
Qantas Airbus A350 fast & free Wi-Fi
Here’s another exciting development. Qantas will offer complimentary Viasat Wi-Fi to all passengers on the Airbus A350, as Viasat completes key satellite launches covering Qantas’ international network.
This is a huge development for the airline. Currently Qantas doesn’t have Wi-Fi on any long haul jets, so to go from no Wi-Fi to free high speed Wi-Fi is fantastic for customers. The other great news is that this same feature will eventually be available on all Qantas long haul jets, including the A330, A380, and 787.
Bottom line
Qantas has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000s, which will be used to operate the world’s longest flights starting in late 2025. It’s pretty incredible to think that a nonstop New York to Sydney flight will become a reality.
The airline is continuing to reveal quite a few details about what we can expect from these jets. They’ll feature just 238 seats, making them the least dense A350-1000s in service. We know know what we can expect from first class, business class, premium economy, and economy, plus the wellbeing zone.
This should be a pretty sweet ride. Too bad Qantas is so stingy when it comes to award availability.
What do you make of Qantas’ Airbus A350 cabins?
I’m not fond of their decision to have only USB-C outlets in economy and not even USB-A. I guess I won’t be able to use my phone or laptop for very long on those super long flights. Many long haul airlines have AC power outlets in all classes. It’s basically standard for any newer generation plane on any good airline. Is Qantas expecting USB-A outlets to be obsolete by the time they launch these flights?
Surprised they do not replace economy with premium economy and premium economy with something similar to premium select on long haul Delta flights. The premium select is similar to the old business class from many years ago. The wellness center is a waste of space. Why not come up with something more practical.
Ignoring for a moment the obvious that Qantas needs to make money and there's plenty of suckers willing to pay extra for a single hop even in a mediocre Y seat as we observed with QF9/10.
I'd be more willing to heap praise if this were a regular long haul spec plane; but for flights that will go past 20 hours? Oof.
As others have mentioned, SQ opted to remove Y entirely for...
Ignoring for a moment the obvious that Qantas needs to make money and there's plenty of suckers willing to pay extra for a single hop even in a mediocre Y seat as we observed with QF9/10.
I'd be more willing to heap praise if this were a regular long haul spec plane; but for flights that will go past 20 hours? Oof.
As others have mentioned, SQ opted to remove Y entirely for [still shorter] extra long haul journeys, and JAL's regular 777/787 have bigger seats in the back for much shorter flights.
Isn't 2-4-2 a little tight for P.E. on an A350? That's what 777s use, and 787s use 2-3-2. The A350 is in the middle, but they've opted to squeeze the extra seat in. On a such a long flight where weight is at a premium, this is a strange choice.
This is surprising to me to.
Premium economy: 2-4-4
Economy: 3-3-3
The premium economy seats must not be that much wider than the economy seats with that sort of layout
Exactly. In Singapore Premium Economy 777s are a lot more comfy than their A350 counterparts. Same 2-4-2 configuration.
Yes, 2-4-2 is tight for PE on an A350. 2-3-2 is quite okay, 2-4-2 is poor. All the more on such incredibly long flights.
I'm surprised they opted to have economy class for this flight. Singapore Airlines flies JFK-SIN in either all-business or business class & premium economy (but no economy) which I think is a better idea. Sometimes I wonder if the Qantas execs have ever sat in ultra longhaul middle seat in economy class.
@Ben the well-being zone will be for exclusive use of economy and premium economy passengers.
First and business won’t have access to it, as they can stretch in the own suites.
Echoing Ken's message about the wellness zone. Unsure if it's because you've been lucky ;) enough to avoid long haul in economy, but as someone who does the cross-pacific jaunt to Aus a couple times a year, there are always folks gathering to stretch and move around, typically near galleys and exit rows. Id be using this space multiple times per trip.
I was also thinking this. I am fortunate enough that my company pays for business class travel on long-haul flights and red-eyes But when it comes to personal travel, either because there's a lack of award availability, I don't have enough miles or I am simply not willing to drop $$$$ for what is essentially a service for a few hours, I end up booking on an economy exit row. I cannot count the number...
I was also thinking this. I am fortunate enough that my company pays for business class travel on long-haul flights and red-eyes But when it comes to personal travel, either because there's a lack of award availability, I don't have enough miles or I am simply not willing to drop $$$$ for what is essentially a service for a few hours, I end up booking on an economy exit row. I cannot count the number of times I have had to deal with careless people stepping on my feet or making constant physical contact because they were having a conversation at the exit row. On the one hand I try to be understanding, knowing that we are all in a confined space with little to no free room, but admittedly it is very annoying. Something like the wellness zone helps alleviate the congestion in aisles, exit rows and galleys and makes the journey overall much more pleasant to both economy passengers and FAs.
Along the lines of what Nathan said... feel lucky that you don't have to deal with long-haul economy and don't diminish the value of amenities at the back of the plane.
This was my thought as well. I think it's just as much for the flight crew and having passengers out of their way, rather than stretching in a galley or by their jump seats and having to move around them.
*meant to add, which Ben does point out. It looks like a slightly nicer space to stretch out, but yeah at the end of the day, "wellness zone" is a marketing term.
FWIW I've seen a bunch of people posting on social media videos of the actual seat, looks like there may have been a media event in NYC. Looks really good, very nice design that shouldn't get outdated too soon!
I'm continued to be baffled by your cynicism for the wellness zone. Are you that out of touch? How do you not realize that the wellness zone is an insane luxury in economy class? There are rarely, if ever, spaces on an aircraft for economy passengers to be able to stand around and move a little in open space. In addition, there are rarely, if ever, options for snacks and beverages like the wellness zone...
I'm continued to be baffled by your cynicism for the wellness zone. Are you that out of touch? How do you not realize that the wellness zone is an insane luxury in economy class? There are rarely, if ever, spaces on an aircraft for economy passengers to be able to stand around and move a little in open space. In addition, there are rarely, if ever, options for snacks and beverages like the wellness zone will provide for economy passengers. It's an incredible benefit for economy passengers, I don't see why you think it isn't.
If I remember correctly, QF's own A380 have (or had) a snack bar for economy cabin. Area near the snack bar was the de-facto the "wellness zone" - a place to stretch without the fancy marketing name.
To me, A380 is still the most comfortable (albeit the ugliest) plane, especially for long flights.
The way Australia is going the only people that can afford this will be Labor, Greens and their corporate sycophants.
I don't see the need to have USB-A and even AC power anymore as pretty much all PEDs from mobile phones and tablets to even laptops nowadays use the USB-C standard. I'm also curious to see if QF, JAL and other potential carriers who plan to have the same or similar layout follow Emirates' lead on having virtual windows in the middle seats in F.
speak for yourself... even today a bunch of tech still (unfortunately) requires USB-A and AC sockets
It is very doubtful if the USB C chargers on a plane will deliver power enough to charge laptops. While laptops may have gone USB C, they are far more power hungry than phones and tablets.
No AC outlet in Y and PY is incredibly cheap by QF. But I guess they need to cut costs somewhere
Looks nice. LH group should have used this layout for their new F products.
I'm pretty sure that JAL's upcoming A35K would have a better cabin.
Not specific to Qantas but I wonder how they test the comfort of these new seats? Do staff in the factory get paid to sit in them for 19 hours?
Testing out seats on the ground wouldn't be sufficient: those vibrations during flight and the reduced air pressure quite change (and worsen) the experience.
My QFFF points are always used on alternate carriers as they want too many award points for travel on their metal - definitely access through other programmes and “good luck “ new product look great