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Qantas has revealed how it will use unique cabin lighting “grounded in science” to help beat jetlag on its upcoming Project Sunrise flights from Sydney to London and New York.
The Flying Kangaroo said it spent more than 150 hours testing different options that could mimic human circadian rhythms to help customers adjust to their destination’s time zones.
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Project Sunrise is the airline’s plan to operate ultra-long-haul direct flights from Australia’s east coast starting in 2026 using a fleet of 12 specially adapted A350-1000s.
The services are set to be among the longest non-stop trips in the world and will mean passengers will be onboard for around 20 hours.
Qantas said on Friday it had tested “hundreds of lighting patterns and sequences” at an Airbus facility in Hamburg with representatives from the planemaker, the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and Caon Design Office.
“Based on state-of-the-art modelling of circadian rhythms, the Charles Perkins Centre advised the optimal spectral irradiances for light to promote circadian adaption, sleep, and wake,” said Qantas.
“These were implemented and tested throughout the lighting workshops in Hamburg and adjusted for eye comfort and appearance.
“The lighting sequence will be tailored to help passengers adjust to their destination time zone before they set foot on the ground.”
The trial produced a series of 12 unique lighting scenes that helped customers stay awake, transition from daytime to dark, and simulate an Australian sunrise.
“The main cabin will also have welcome and farewell lighting scenes for boarding and disembarking, as well as tailored scenes for taxi, take-off and landing, and sleep,” added the airline.
“The Wellbeing Zone will feature soft blue-enriched light creating a daytime sky effect with slow-moving clouds during ‘the day’ to keep customers awake, and a moonlight-inspired scene with reflections of water rippling to relax customers who spend time in the Wellbeing Zone while the rest of the cabin is in a dark period.
“In a first for the airline, the six enclosed First Suites will offer a fully customisable lighting sequence for their environment that means customers can choose the time zone they want to be on for the duration of the flight.”
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace insisted the research that informed the designs highlighted the importance of light cycles and brightness in setting the body clock.
“Combined with the design of the cabins, specialised meal planning, and the movement program, this unique lighting sequence will help improve our customers’ comfort in the air and minimise their jetlag when they arrive at their destination,” he said.
The news comes months after regulators finally green-lit the specially adapted fuel tanks on the A350, which will be necessary to make the long journey.
“We’re working very closely with Airbus, and the first aircraft is due to arrive from mid-2026. It’s passed all the certifications now, so we’re feeling very optimistic about the delivery timetable,” CEO Vanessa Hudson said in June.
“This is going to be a fundamental part of our network structure.”
Project Sunrise was originally slated to launch next year but was delayed to 2026 due to “manufacturing issues” at Airbus.
Qantas is likely to be the only airline in the world to operate the services, with former CEO Alan Joyce arguing Australia’s position in the world meant only it would be able to justify investing in a large fleet of ultra-long-haul aircraft.
Its launch is set to be one of the most significant moments in the carrier’s history.
