Qantas unveils new business-class seats for Project Sunrise marathon flights
Qantas has unveiled a new business-class seat as it prepares to launch the world's longest flights.
As part of "Project Sunrise," the Australian flag carrier will launch nonstop flights from Sydney Airport (SYD) to both New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) starting in late 2025. These flights will use 12 specially configured Airbus A350-1000 aircraft currently on order.
Comfort will be key for these marathon journeys of 20-plus hours in the skies, so the airline is investing heavily in the passenger experience. With just 238 seats across four classes, this will be the most spacious and lowest-density A350-1000 passenger aircraft to take to the skies.
The upcoming A350 business-class cabin will feature 52 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration from manufacturer Safran Seats. While the Vue product is new to the market, it includes industry-standard features for long-haul business class, including direct aisle access for all passengers, a fully flat bed, plenty of storage and a sliding door for extra privacy.
The business-class suites will also feature Bluetooth connectivity, as well as wireless charging, a technological innovation TPG recently enjoyed on board Finnair's revolutionary new non-reclining business-class seat.
Qantas previously released details of the six modern and spacious first-class suites that will take pride of place in the front of the A350 aircraft. With high walls and closing doors, first-class passengers will enjoy a reclining 22-inch-wide seat for takeoff, meals and a number of entertainment options on the 32-inch inflight entertainment screen.
The suites will also feature a separate 6.5-foot-long (2-meter-long) bed to ensure a good night's sleep on these ultra-long-haul flights.
"Qantas has been the leader in opening up new long-haul flights for most of our history, and we're bringing everything we've learned, both technically and in terms of passenger comfort, to Project Sunrise flying," said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. "We're building on the customer experience of our extremely popular non-stop flights from Perth to London as we keep working to make it easier to connect Australia with the rest of the world."
As first reported by Executive Traveller, Qantas will also install fast and free ViaSat-3 Wi-Fi for all passengers on board its entire long-haul fleet later this year, including its existing Airbus A330, Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, as well as the new Airbus A350 fleet ordered for Project Sunrise.
The new seats feature modern design and cutting-edge technology, though it's worth noting that Qantas will not commence flying this product for almost three years, which could see these innovations quickly fall out of date in the rapidly changing and highly competitive luxury aviation market.
With plenty of lead time to tease the details of these new products, Qantas will announce plans for the premium economy and regular economy cabins in the coming months. More about the small onboard "Wellbeing Zone" that all passengers will have access to is also expected in the near future.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees