Qantas Project Sunrise goes ahead, 12 new A350-1000s ordered

[JohnK]

Apologies for thinking of you sandwiched-in up the back, “stuck for 17hrs on a QF flight on a 787 or whatever”.

Nah that'd be my luck. 2nd last row of economy, middle seat and only 17.5 hours to go.

No thanks.

 

[Eastwick20]

I think it's fair to say that Project Sunrise will be a success with the business/corporate market who are not paying and want to get in and out as quicky as possible and the one/two stop's will continue to be a success with the leisure market who are paying.
I actually feel there is more then enough market share for both.

As for me? well as someone put it to me recently about flying via Perth from the east coast

" 5 hours into the journey and you still haven't even left Australia yet "

No thanks, I'll take a mid way stop any day.

 

[dairyfloss]

I think it's fair to say that Project Sunrise will be a success with the business/corporate market who are not paying and want to get in and out as quicky as possible and the one/two stop's will continue to be a success with the leisure market who are paying.
I actually feel there is more then enough market share for both.

As for me? well as someone put it to me recently about flying via Perth from the east coast

" 5 hours into the journey and you still haven't even left Australia yet "

No thanks, I'll take a mid way stop any day.

Yep - I'm the same. I like the idea of being able to fly direct, if I ever needed to be somewhere quickly... but aside from perhaps a family emergency (in-laws are in Europe), I can't see myself choosing to take a singular flight of this length, even in J/F. I like stopping over and having a break, usually for a night, at least. I think it will be successful (and likely very profitable), but transits and stopovers aren't going away any time soon, for the most part, and I'm happy with that.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[747sp]

Yep - I'm the same. I like the idea of being able to fly direct, if I ever needed to be somewhere quickly... but aside from perhaps a family emergency (in-laws are in Europe), I can't see myself choosing to take a singular flight of this length, even in J/F. I like stopping over and having a break, usually for a night, at least. I think it will be successful (and likely very profitable), but transits and stopovers aren't going away any time soon, for the most part, and I'm happy with that.

Cheers,
Matt.

I agree too. I have a few friends who have to regularly fly to London and New York and it is all about minimising the travel time.
They express interest in the non stop flight as it is one less place for things to go wrong.

 

[downgraded]

But when the

it is one less place for things to go wrong

But when they do, the problems of service recovery for these long P2P routes have been very well demonstrated...

 

[jb747]

Airbus will make an A380neo - bet on it. If not it will have to be something like 777X-10 stretch or something crazy like that.

I'll bet that they don't. Much as I love the 380, it's been supplanted by the 350, etc.

Interesting looking at history, and comparing the death of the multi stop flights in the past to the current non stop. I've said it before, but perhaps it's worth repeating, that these longer range flights are not necessarily more efficient. In fact it's the opposite. A two stop flight to Europe can carry more cargo, and burn LESS fuel, than a flight with only one stop. The non stop flights are even worse. So, they will have terrible economics vs the flights with a stop. And all for a 'saving' of an hour or two. It will work to a degree, but you have to wonder how long QF will be able to charge the premium necessary to make it work. All you need is for someone at the other end to reciprocate, or for the ME/Asian airlines to tweak their premium fares for it to become a while elephant. TBA I guess.

 

[RooFlyer]

I agree too. I have a few friends who have to regularly fly to London and New York and it is all about minimising the travel time.
They express interest in the non stop flight as it is one less place for things to go wrong.

That's very true, although if something goes wrong with one of these ULH flights, back-ups/recovery will be virtually impossible with the same equipment/timing as the specialised fleet will be small and presumably well utilised/scheduled. At least if you get to DXB on a scheduled one-stop flight and your onwards goes tech, there are multiple options for the airline to get you where you wanted to go. Even at departure here, still multiple options.

 

[moa999]

Airbus will make an A380neo - bet on it. If not it will have to be something like 777X-10 stretch or something crazy like that.

Agree with jb747. No chance.
Airbus (and RR, GE/P&W) lost billions on the last program and having converted the lines would have to start from scratch.

By the time this third tranche of Qantas A350s come around there will probably be a neo, and a further stretch (350-1100/2000).

A 350neo is probably most dangerous to Qantas in the future as it probably opens up the possibility of everyone in Europe flying direct, whereas they are unlikely to with the current generation that requires the extra tanks and low density configuration.

 

[justinbrett]

That's very true, although if something goes wrong with one of these ULH flights, back-ups/recovery will be virtually impossible with the same equipment/timing as the specialised fleet will be small and presumably well utilised/scheduled. At least if you get to DXB on a scheduled one-stop flight and your onwards goes tech, there are multiple options for the airline to get you where you wanted to go. Even at departure here, still multiple options.

It's really no different to the 747-400ER fleet. QF has done this before.

But of course QF have said they will continue flying through SIN and LAX so the backup is you move to other services.

 

[RSVKanga]

There will be 12 different mood lighting settings and scenes that will be used on Qantas’ A350s, including ones that resemble a sunrise/sunset and the ‘starry night’ setting that is common on airlines like EK.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/the-science-of-sunrise-qantas-creates-cabin-lighting-inspired-by-aussie-landscapes-to-combat-jetlag/

 

[encryptededdy]

There will be 12 different mood lighting settings and scenes that will be used on Qantas’ A350s, including ones that resemble a sunrise/sunset and the ‘starry night’ setting that is common on airlines like EK.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/the-science-of-sunrise-qantas-creates-cabin-lighting-inspired-by-aussie-landscapes-to-combat-jetlag/

It seems that the aircraft purchasing / refurbishment planning (or lack thereof) over the past 10 years means they have to keep publishing press releases talking about the exact same planes that are still a few years away from delivery, instead of actually announcing new aircraft or products.

 

[drron]

There will be 12 different mood lighting settings and scenes that will be used on Qantas’ A350s, including ones that resemble a sunrise/sunset and the ‘starry night’ setting that is common on airlines like EK.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/the-science-of-sunrise-qantas-creates-cabin-lighting-inspired-by-aussie-landscapes-to-combat-jetlag/

And do you really think that is going to persuade people to go via Perth to Europe instead of SQ,JL,TK and the ME3/4?
At the moment it is SQ,JAL or QR for me. And if JAL restarts BNE-Tokyo then it will be JAL every time. Cheaper,better food and service than QF.

 

[jrfsp]

It seems that the aircraft purchasing / refurbishment planning (or lack thereof) over the past 10 years means they have to keep publishing press releases talking about the exact same planes that are still a few years away from delivery, instead of actually announcing new aircraft or products.

The same approach as the lounge refurbs, endless press releases..and no progress

 

[p--and--t]

I, for one, hate airports and flying is to get somewhere. The boarding and disembarking process is a necessary evil to be endured the minimum times possible.

I don't have elite status besides having done a sh.. load of flying because I choose a carrier based on timetable, perceived safety, route and convenience not status and recognition.

If I can get to my destination non stop that is worth more to me than lolling around in a lounge waiting for another boarding call and going through another set of infuriating security and/or immigration rigmarole.

I enjoy flying but it is to get somewhere. I go to restaurants if I want fine dining, not sitting on an aircraft.

I consume alcohol in very small volumes so would never visit a bar on the ground let alone in an aircraft.

Bring on sunrise, can't wait. (As long as it flies where I want to go, when I want to go).

YMMV

 

[60165636]

I, for one, hate airports and flying is to get somewhere. The boarding and disembarking process is a necessary evil to be endured the minimum times possible.

I don't have elite status besides having done a sh.. load of flying because I choose a carrier based on timetable, perceived safety, route and convenience not status and recognition.

If I can get to my destination non stop that is worth more to me than lolling around in a lounge waiting for another boarding call and going through another set of infuriating security and/or immigration rigmarole.

I enjoy flying but it is to get somewhere. I go to restaurants if I want fine dining, not sitting on an aircraft.

I consume alcohol in very small volumes so would never visit a bar on the ground let alone in an aircraft.

Bring on sunrise, can't wait. (As long as it flies where I want to go, when I want to go).

YMMV

Agree. My leave is limited and precious and even a few hours saved for me would be worth it. I will be using Project Sunrise when it finally gets off the ground. Quickest point to point routes are always my preference.

I have an unavoidable 8 hour layover in HK later this year (travelling with in-laws who insisted they pick the flights we're travelling on ) and I am spitting chips about it. Jokes on them though, at least I will be in the Pier First lounge for that time

 

[RooFlyer]

From 'that' press release

The main cabin will also have Welcome and Farewell lighting scenes for boarding and disembarking, as well as tailored scenes for taxi, take-off and landing, and sleep.

Well, I'm excited!! not to mention relieved to find this out.

In a first for the airline, the six enclosed First Suites will offer a fully customisable lighting sequence for their environment that means customers can choose the time zone they want to be on for the duration of the flight.

So, presumably the plebs in all the other classes won’t get a choice. So the airline deems you should be awake you will be encouraged to be awake and if you want to sleep well too bad.

I also assume that this lighting thing means that passengers won’t have control over the window shades either.

 

[jase05]

Quickest point to point routes are always my preference.

No doubt and that’s fine for those couple of destinations but for 90% of the other ports in Europe it’s going to need a stop and if you don’t live in SYD/MEL/PER it’s going to be a two stop when several airlines will be one stop.
It’s a horses for courses setup IMO, sometimes Sunrise will be the best option and sometimes it won’t. Always good to have more options

 

[justinbrett]

I’d actually prefer non stop in J/F, as your sleep schedule isn’t restricted by the layover times. If you’re aiming for a morning arrival in London, most of the ME3 options involve a late night transfer and less than 8 hours for the final leg which is disruptive for sleep. The Asian transfers eliminate this issue, but so would Sunrise.

In Y, I would prefer stops - although the interesting factor to consider is if sunrise Y has wider seats and more legroom, that might end up being preferable to two legs in a smaller seat.

 

[TheInsider]

Cheaper,better food and service than QF.

What service do you think QF is not providing that others do? Is this a check-in thing? Somehow cabin crew not meeting standards? With my experience, I've travelled on many other carriers and QF crew are generally the best for 'service'. So many of the Asian and ME carriers are so robotic and all the same.

 

[jase05]

What service do you think QF is not providing that others do? Is this a check-in thing? Somehow cabin crew not meeting standards? With my experience, I've travelled on many other carriers and QF crew are generally the best for 'service'. So many of the Asian and ME carriers are so robotic and all the same.

I’ve always found QF crews and service pretty good. Not great but not poor
The food and beverages let them down a bit IMO and I’d say 7 or 8 out 10 meals are poor IMO but YMMV