UPFRONT

ULTRA LONG-HAUL RESEARCH FLIGHTS

QANTAS plans to operate three research flights to test ways to improve the health and wellbeing of passengers and crew on ultra long-haul flights. The flights form part of Qantas’s “Project Sunrise”, the airline’s goal to operate regular, non-stop commercial flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York.

The research flights are scheduled to operate in October, November and December, using its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery during the same period. As a result, the planned delivery flights from Seattle to Australia will be re-routed, and the research flights will be operated with the new aircraft. Instead of flying empty from Seattle to Australia, the aircraft will simulate two Project Sunrise routes – London and New York to Sydney.

The two non-stop flights will both take around 19 hours. Each flight will carry a maximum of 40 people, including crew and cabin passengers who will mostly be Qantas employees. They will be provided with wearable technology devices and take part in specific experiences at varying stages