Twenty hours on a Qantas plane: is this the future of aviation or a fresh hell in economy?

Qantas first announced its vision to run the ultra long-haul routes in 2017, but Covid pushed back the predicted 2022 launch. With global aviation now booming again thanks to the post-pandemic hunger for travel, Project Sunrise is firmly back on the agenda.

The airline already runs non-stop flights from Perth to London and Rome, which have proved popular despite costing more than traditional services that stop over in Asia.

Each plane will have six first-class suites, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 standard economy seats at the rear.

So far the airline has revealed more about the front end of the plane. First class will feature a 2-metre bed, personal wardrobe and 32-inch television in each suite, which will be 50% larger than the suites on its existing A380s. Business class will have generous legroom and privacy walls.

On a test flight from Sydney to London in 2019, carbohydrate-laden meals were designed to make passengers sleepy early on, while spicy soups were served to perk up passengers at the time when they would be waking up at their destination.

A mid-air calisthenics class was also held, with the Qantas chief executive, Alan Joyce, dancing the macarena in the aisles of the economy cabin (which held no passengers).

Tony Schiemer, a doctor specialising in aerospace medicine who has worked with the Australian air force and navy, says the ultra-long flight would slightly raise the risk of common inflight concerns such as deep vein thrombosis.

The risk of blood clotting becomes pronounced once a flight reaches four hours, and increases with every extra hour, Schiemer says.

Schiemer questions whether the wellbeing zones will be sufficient as a release for those stuck in economy seats. He points to the bunk bed-style sleeping pods Air New Zealand is set to offer economy passengers in four-hour slots as a better initiative.

Schiemer, who also works as a commercial pilot, believes that except for significantly older passengers and those with chronic diseases, most of the added risks associated with 20-hour-long flights could be psychological.

Those limiting water intake will also feel the effects of alcohol more.

Qantas boasts that the A350 uses up to 20% less fuel than other aircraft its size and 25% less carbon dioxide emissions per seat, but critics question whether the non-stop flights will be less environmentally damaging.

The airline says Project Sunrise flight times will be between 18 and 20 hours depending on the direction, and is yet to release airfare information. It did not respond to a question about emissions.

Zena Assaad, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University whose PhD was on the efficiencies of long-haul flying, expects ultra long-haul flights to become more popular, and says this will help improve congestion at major airports.

But she predicts that Qantas may need to move away from its luxurious cabin configurations to compete better on price.

Qantas is yet to release its pricing structure for the flights, but says fares will be about 30% higher than its traditional routes.