Australian national carrier Qantas (QF/QFA) has revealed its future Airbus fleet plans that include the Airbus A350 which is going to be an integral part of the carrier’s Project Sunrise, the project is aimed at connecting any city in the world to Australia with a single flight.
According to a news report on https://ukaviation.news/, Qantas announced its order of 12 A350-1000s, 20 A220s, and 20 long-range A321XLRs to meet its future fleet requirements at a ceremony in Sydney.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce stated, “New types of aircraft make new things possible. That’s what makes today’s announcement so significant for the national carrier and for a country like Australia where air travel is crucial. The A350 and Project Sunrise will make any city just one flight away from Australia. It’s the last frontier and the final fix for the tyranny of distance.”
Under Project Sunrise, Qantas plans to launch direct flights from Sydney to London in 2025 using Airbus A350s. These flights, lasting about 20 hours, will be the world’s longest, surpassing the current longest flight from Singapore to New York by over an hour.
Regarding the smaller aircraft ordered, Mr. Joyce added, “The A320s and A220s will become the backbone of our domestic fleet for the next 20 years, helping to keep this country moving. Their range and economics will make new direct routes possible. The Board’s decision to green light what is the largest aircraft order in Australian aviation is a clear vote of confidence in the future of Qantas.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, commented, “Qantas is one of the world’s iconic airlines, with a visionary spirit from its inception over 100 years ago. We are honoured by the confidence that Qantas is placing in Airbus and look forward to delivering to the Group one of the world’s most modern, efficient and sustainable fleets. This decision by Qantas underscores the position of the A350 as the reference long-range widebody aircraft.”
Long-Haul Comfort
The Airbus A350-1000 will be configured with a four-cabin layout accommodating 238 passengers, with at least 40% of the seats designated as premium seating.
Qantas states that passengers will also have access to a “wellbeing zone” located in the center of the aircraft, featuring a self-service snack bar and space for stretching and movement. This amenity aims to help mitigate the effects of spending 20 hours in the air.
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