We Explore Qantas’ All-New A350 First And Business Cabin Prototypes

Qantas has today revealed prototypes of its beautiful new Airbus A350 First and Business Class suites. While the press conference was focused on reporting the airline’s half-year financials, the cabin update was certainly the star of the show. Flight Hacks visited Qantas HQ this morning to check out what the flying kangaroo has in store for its latest long-haul jet.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the investment in new A350 aircraft and approach to cabin design continues Qantas’ 100-year history of aviation ‘firsts’.

“Qantas has been the leader in opening up new long-haul flights for most of our history, and we’re bringing everything we’ve learned, both technically and in terms of passenger comfort, to Project Sunrise flying,” said Mr Joyce.

“We think our A350 cabins have the most sophisticated and thoughtful design of any airline, combining cutting edge technology with sleep research to shape the look and feel for what is effectively a new era of travel,” he added.

Of course, we already knew which seats Qantas has selected for the Airbus A350, including those tempting First Class suites, as the airline released cabin renderings on announcement of its major aircraft order. That order saw Qantas sign for 12 Airbus A350-1000 jets to operate non-stop ‘Project Sunrise’ flights between Australia and cities including New York and London, as well as taking over the Boeing 787 operated Perth-London route from 2026. In fact, these airliners are capable of operating a direct flight between Australia and any other city in the world. That power comes from added fuel tanks and fancy Rolls-Royce engines that are 25 percent more efficient than previous generation aircraft.

Looking inside the modern Airbus, Qantas will offer space for 238 passengers across four classes of travel, with more than 40 percent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating;

• 6 First suites complete with a privacy door, separate bed and lounge chair, individual wardrobe and a 32” inflight entertainment screen
• 52 Business seats with direct aisle access
• 40 Premium Economy seats at 40” pitch
• 140 Economy seats at 33” pitch

Qantas has said they plan to specially configure the jet for improved comfort on ultra-long-haul flights, including offering a shared wellbeing zone located in the centre of the aircraft. This is a place for passengers to stretch their legs, grab a self-serve snack and follow along with digital displays providing movement and stretching recommendations.

The first of Qantas’ Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is set to touch down in a little under two years. Here’s what passengers can expect at the pointy end;

Qantas’ All-New A350 First Class

With Project Sunrise flights chasing 20+ hours of airtime, Qantas has gone to great lengths to design a beautiful First Class Suite. The cabin is based on designs by Safran Seats, although heavily customised and thoughtfully styled by David Caon, who was also involved in creating the airline’s B787 and A380 Business hard products.

The design team told me they hoped to create a “homely vibe” throughout the suite, which almost feels like a boutique hotel room. Almost everything has been thought of, right down to the ultra soft carpet that is more luxurious than you’ll find on any other First Class product.

The space is complete with a wide bed that is separate of the comfortable recliner, a well-sized personal wardrobe, a dining table for two and an absolutely enormous 32” ultra-high definition TV. The suite can be controlled from a screen beside the recliner, which even includes a tailored lighting program to improve mood and sleep patterns.

To create a sense of space, Qantas’ First Class cabin emits overhead lockers, but instead offers storage for two large carry-on suitcases below the bed.

Qantas’ All-New A350 Business Class

Qantas A350 Business Class is also based on a heavily modified product by Safran Seats. While I have to admit it’s not the most exciting Business option, it was certainly a nice place to sit. Finishes of deep red, grey and cream work well alongside with metallic trims. Although, as far as texture goes, I’m not a fan of the suede that leaves directional markings that will upset even the lightest case of OCD.

Sitting down the Business product is plenty wide, but could perhaps be slightly longer at shoulder height. In bed mode the seat is a huge 2 metres long, with a large foot cubby to allow space to toss and turn during sleep.

As travellers have grown to expect, every Business Class seat offers direct aisle access. Sliding doors have also been fitted for privacy, an especially important feature to minimise interruption during sleep. Although, even with the doors open, 47” tall walls offer a high degree of privacy on their own.

Qantas’ A350 In-Cabin Tech

Both First and Business Class will offer numerous personal charging options including regular AC power as well as USB-A and USB-C, plus a wireless charging pad.

Fast and free inflight WiFi will be available thanks to partner Viasat, a feature that is expected on each of Qantas’ widebody aircraft once the appropriate satellites are up and running.
My personal favourite tech feature of Qantas’ Airbus A350 is the ability to pair personal bluetooth headphones to the in-flight entertainment system.

The downside? Latest generation A350’s come fitted with electronically dimmable windows, and while the design makes sense, most frequent flyers can’t stand these. They are too slow to operate, create a terrible blue filter on photos and are often locked dark by cabin crew rendering the entire point of selecting a window seat pointless. At least the A350 features the second generation of this technology, which is supposedly improved.

Summing Up: Editor’s Take

As an Airbus lover, I was overjoyed when Qantas selected Europe’s largest aircraft manufacturer for their fleet refresh. AvGeeks unanimously agree that the A350 is one of the sexiest aircraft in production, and even those who think planes are just a metal tube (I hate you) would have to appreciate the considerable improvement in passenger comfort.

Although the travelling public are still sceptical of Qantas, the airline remains one of those carriers that looks to redefine the way we travel. It’s great to see ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights locked in, and of course, I am very keen to put the Qantas A350 to the test in coming years.