TOULOUSE, France – Qantas Airways is betting that science can make the world’s longest flights feel less punishing — unveiling plans for a “wellness zone,” extra legroom, specially timed meals and animated lighting on its non-stop Sydney-London services due to launch next October.
The Australian carrier, which plans to follow up with non-stop flights from Sydney to New York, this week offered detailed briefings on the science of roughly 20-hour journeys as it looks to convince passengers to pay a premium for avoiding a stopover.
“It’s a major biological challenge crossing all these ?time zones — seven to nine for London and 14 to 16 for New York,” said Peter Cistulli, professor of sleep medicine at the University of Sydney, who took part ?in scientific ?research for “Project Sunrise.”
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