As Qantas and its suppliers head towards the final ‘assemble stage’ of the airline’s A350 Project Sunrise, the spotlight turns once more to the specific wellbeing needs of those boarding the next generation of ultra long-haul flights.
The specially-designed Airbus A350s will fly direct from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London, with potential flying times of up to 22 hours. The onboard service will draw on the experience of the 17-hour flights between Perth and London and ongoing passenger wellbeing research by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.
Key learnings from the trial flights so far include recognition that design and service elements must work cohesively. This seems to mean combining cutting-edge technology with sleep research to refine cabin design and comfort, adjust menus and lighting, and encourage movement inflight.
Tech support
Part of the solution will be structural. Qantas will become the first airline with a purpose-built Wellbeing Zone, located between Premium Economy and Economy. Featuring sculpted wall panels and stretch handles, here passengers will find a guided on-screen exercise programme, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.
Other airlines are also already adding wellbeing features through tech. Virgin Atlantic, for example, partners with the Team Body Project to provide an inflight exercise routine, and its IFE features mindfulness input from specialist, Headspace.
Likewise, American Airlines partners with the FitOn fitness app to provide guided stretching and meditation through its IFE. Kim Cisek, American’s VP of Customer Experience, says: “Sitting for an extended period of time can lend itself to muscle stiffness and poor circulation — all of which can be prevented with a few simple stretches.” The team also tweaked menus says Cisek, adding: “Our health-forward dishes are made to taste great while also being nutrient rich, supporting fluid intake and aiding digestion.”
MAYA, a new collaboration between Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics, claims to redefine comfort yet further. This concept Business suite features advanced seating ergonomics, integrated with ARISE technology which can automatically optimise cushion pressure, regulate temperature and reduce peak vibration disturbances.
And the science of ergonomics will bring new headrest wings to the Qantas Premium Economy A350 cabin for extra head support, and an upholstered ergonomic foot and leg rest system which cradles the reclining passenger for better sleep. For Economy there will be new lumbar supports and more breathable seat fabrics.
Lighten up
The Qantas trials also flagged up the potential of cabin lighting to support wellbeing on ultra long-haul flights with different hues helping to minimise jetlag and improve passenger wellbeing. The final design is a result of more than 150 hours of testing with specialist partners who trialled hundreds of lighting patterns and sequences in a cabin mock-up. The final sequence will help passengers adjust to their destination time zone inflight, through 12 lighting settings. Qantas CEO, Cam Wallace, says: “The importance of light cycles and brightness in setting the body clock was clear from the research. Combined with the design of the cabins, specialised meal planning, and the movement programme, this unique lighting sequence will help improve our customers’ comfort in the air and minimise jetlag. The external light cycle has more impact on our circadian rhythm and jetlag than any other factor.”
Skin deep
Airline suppliers report that longer flights are shifting airline priorities for their amenity kits too.
Simon Yaffe, Director of Client Services at Buzz Products, says: “When wellness is a priority another area of focus is skincare, with amenities now including high-performance, hydration-boosting formulas specifically designed to combat the dehydrating effects of the cabin. Hydrating face mists, nourishing balms and rich moisturisers are tailored to protect the skin’s barrier in dry cabin air, helping passengers arrive refreshed.”
The Buzz team recently facilitated the BYREDO travel wellness programme for Emirates First with products such as toner, sleep oil and pillow mist created using chamomile extracts to promote relaxation, replenish and hydrate the skin.
United Airlines too has redesigned its Polaris Business kits, in partnership with Therabody and WESSCO International, to emphasise a wellness-orientated experience across many touchpoints. Kits include Therabody’s iconic Theragun Mini — a travel companion for muscle relief and relaxation — and other products infused with a calming cedarwood fragrance designed to ease tension, clear the mind and encourage quality sleep. Petros Sakkis, Chief Marketing Officer WESSCO International, says: “Leading airlines like United are now making sleep and wellbeing central to their long-haul passenger experience. This collaboration is a strong example of a shift — it wasn’t just about the kit, but a comprehensive wellness offering from curated wellness stations in the lounges to Therabody’s e-commerce with MileagePlus rewards. The programme shows how airlines are elevating wellness across the entire journey.”
Linstol reports a shift to ‘purpose-driven kits’ that promote rest and restoration. Paula Wines Creative Director, Amenities and Luxury Brand Promotions, says: “Airlines are increasingly focused on kits that support onboard wellness while also offering lasting value post flight. For long-haul, wellness begins with thoughtful details. Our kit inclusions are all designed to help passengers sleep, relax and adjust across time zones.” Its exclusive B-Zen skincare brand is enriched with ingredients that sooth, hydrate and actively combat skin fatigue.
Bringing joy
At Kaelis, Manoj Pridhanani, Chief Design Officer and Head of Sustainability, insists: “Comfort and wellbeing are no longer optional — they’re at the heart of the inflight experience, especially on ultra long-haul journeys. Airlines are shifting their focus from just ‘arriving rested’ to creating a journey that feels like home in the sky. Airlines are absolutely prioritising sleep, and wellness is expanding beyond the seat to support passengers before, during and even after the flight.
“Looking ahead, we expect the wellbeing priority will turn the focus to smart materials and sensory cues, and that wellness will be woven into every touchpoint. Ultra long-haul flights won’t just be about getting there — they’ll be about a journey that is full of joy.”
