Qantas is set to introduce a groundbreaking cabin lighting system on its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights, designed to enhance passenger wellbeing and reduce jetlag. Inspired by the hues of the Australian landscape and backed by scientific research, this cutting-edge lighting aims to transform the inflight experience.

The lighting system’s development involved over 150 hours of testing at the Airbus Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg. Collaborators from Qantas, Airbus, the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, and Caon Design Office meticulously crafted and trialed numerous lighting patterns and sequences using an Airbus A350 cabin mockup.

Last year, Qantas and the Charles Perkins Centre unveiled preliminary research on mitigating jetlag through innovative inflight experiences. This research, conducted during Project Sunrise test flights, focused on optimizing circadian rhythms to enhance passenger comfort.

The Charles Perkins Centre provided expert advice on ideal light spectra to support circadian adaptation, sleep, and wakefulness. These recommendations were incorporated into the Hamburg testing process, fine-tuned for visual comfort and effectiveness.

The lighting sequences on Project Sunrise flights will be tailored to align with passengers’ destination time zones, aiming to adjust their internal clocks before landing.

The trial has led to the creation of 12 distinct lighting scenes, including:

• “Awake”: Broad-spectrum, blue-enriched lighting designed to help passengers stay alert and adapt to their destination’s time zone. A gentler version is available for crew to adjust cabin mood and ambiance.
• “Sunset”: A calming transition from daytime to night, featuring colors mimicking a sunset and a serene night sky with moonlight and slow-moving clouds to prepare passengers for sleep.
• “Sunrise”: A dynamic lighting sequence that simulates an Australian sunrise, progressing from the front to the rear of the cabin to gently wake passengers.

Additional lighting scenes will include Welcome and Farewell settings for boarding and disembarking, as well as tailored options for taxi, take-off, and landing. The Wellbeing Zone will feature soothing blue-enriched light to mimic a daytime sky with slow-moving clouds, and a moonlit scene with water reflections for relaxation during dark periods.

In a novel development, the six enclosed First Suites will offer fully customizable lighting, allowing passengers to select their preferred time zone for the flight’s duration.

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Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said that the scientifically informed lighting design was another
critical component of the preparation for Project Sunrise flights, which will connect Australia’s east coast
non-stop with London and New York.

“These world-first flights have been an opportunity for us to work with experts and build on our experience of long-haul flying to rethink the inflight experience with a focus on customer wellbeing and combating the effects of jetlag,” said Mr Wallace.

“One of the things that was clear from the research is the importance of light cycles and brightness in setting the body clock and that was the basis of this testing.

“Combined with the design of the cabins, specialised meal planning, and the movement program, this unique lighting sequence will help improve our customers’ comfort in the air and minimise their jetlag when they arrive at their destination.”

Australian Industrial Designer David Caon said the lighting workshops followed more than five years of cabin design with Qantas to maximise customer wellbeing inflight.

“Aircraft lighting doesn’t cross the mind of most travellers but the external light cycle of night and day has more impact on our circadian rhythm and the impact of jetlag than any other factor,” said Mr Caon.

“The Charles Perkins Centre provided us the ideal spectral irradiance for wake and sleep and these workshops were about crafting a beautiful ambiance which was guided by that science and exceptional design principles.

“Using the unique light of the Australian landscape and contemporary interior design as inspiration, we’ve been able to curate an immersive suite of more 12 different lighting scenarios and transitions to help travellers best adjust to their destination time zone and improve their inflight wellbeing.

“Every part of the Project Sunrise A350 cabins was specially designed for Qantas and creating this tailored lighting sequence is one of the final pieces of the puzzle.”

Joost van der Heijden, SVP & Global Head Of Marketing, Airbus Commercial Aircraft said “The A350 Airspace cabin has been designed to provide passengers with the best possible flight experience. This includes more personal space, the quietest cabin in the sky, highest air quality and full connectivity throughout. And the unique and innovative state-of-the-art LED lighting system offers over 16 million colour combinations, enabling airlines to fully customise their offerings.”

“Qantas has taken full advantage of this unique lighting system to create science-based specific effects that will help passengers adapt to the changing times zones. This will contribute to their well-being on the world’s longest commercial flights. Together with Qantas and its partners, we are working on the definition of a cabin that will show the A350 at its best. This project is the ultimate endorsement of the A350 as the world’s Long Range Leader.”

Dr Sveta Postnova from the Charles Perkins Centre said “It’s great to see circadian science being translated into practice.”

“The new lighting scenarios for A350 were developed to optimise the circadian effects of light at different times during flights while accounting for the light appearance, ambience, safety, and hardware requirements on board. It was a true collaborative effort bringing together the Charles Perkins Centre, Qantas, Airbus and Caon Design Studios.”

Qantas has introduced its bespoke lighting schemes at Airbus’ Airspace Customer Showroom in Toulouse, where a life-size mock-up of the Project Sunrise Wellbeing Zone is on display.

The airline will be the first globally to feature a dedicated Wellbeing Zone, situated between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins. This innovative space includes sculpted wall panels, integrated stretch handles, an on-screen guided exercise program, a hydration station, and a selection of refreshments.

The Wellbeing Zone recently earned acclaim at the Crystal Cabin Awards, winning in the ‘Passenger Comfort’ category for its design on the specially configured A350.

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