In A First, Qantas Airways Introduces Communal Lounge For Long-Haul Flights [Picture Tour]

International

oi-Prakash KL

In a first, Australian airline Qantas Airways is coming up with a communal lounge called ‘wellbeing zone’. This will be between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins featuring sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.

Days ago, the airline unveiled the entire cabin design of its specially designed Airbus A350s that will fly direct from Sydney to New York and London in late 2025. In February, the airline showcased its luxe First and Business cabins and now it unveiled the rest of the aircraft interior, including a unique dedicated wellbeing zone, premium economy and economy cabins.

How The Airline Made Space For The Lounge?

It has reduced the number of seats from 300 plus to 238, thereby giving more space and comfort to the passengers.

“The 40-seat Premium Economy cabin and the 140-seat Economy cabin revealed today will have the most generous seat pitches of any Qantas aircraft, ergonomic leg and foot rest systems and personal storage options. Every seat across all four cabins will feature multiple fast USB-C charging ports and every premium seat will also have integrated wireless charging,” a statement from the company said.

The airline has promised relatively generous legroom in its economy (33 inches) and premium economy areas (40 inches ), respectively. It has to be noted that in recent decades, airline seats progressively reduced (in width) to a mere 16 inches, while legroom has also been significantly compromised, reaching as low as 28 inches in certain instances.

“We have spent just as much time on the second half of the aircraft as we did the front, in fact we started studies on the Wellbeing Zone before any other area of the A350,” Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said. “Fewer seats translate to more space for each customer and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for travellers to stretch, help themselves to a snack and spend time out of their seat. We are the only airline in the world that will have a bespoke designed onboard stretch and movement space.”

An upholstered ergonomic foot and leg rest system allows the body to be cradled in recline to better help passengers sleep, Australian designer David Caon said. He said every detail has been carefully considered from testing thousands of sample fabrics to designing an entirely new Premium Economy seat exclusive to Qantas.

“Economy travellers also have an OLED 13” TV screen, foot net and convenient storage space within arms’ reach to store glasses and personal items. The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat which will have 33 inches of legroom.

“In both the Premium Economy cabin and Economy cabins, we have redesigned every element of the seats to provide better features as well as a fresh look across the entire aircraft to create a sense of light and calm,” added Caon.

Cabin Specifications

• Seating For 238 Passengers.
• 6 First Suites In a 1-1-1 Configuration.
• 52 Business Suites in 1-2-1 Configuration.
• 40 Premium Economy Seats in a 2-4-2 Configuration.
• 140 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 Configuration.

The Qantas A350 fleet will connect customers more than any other with fast and free WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity will feature across all cabins so customers can connect their personal headset to the individual inflight entertainment screen.

The aircraft will have six large enclosed First Suites designed to feel like a mini boutique hotel room with 2-metre flat bed, dining table for two, separate recliner chair and a 32″ 4k ultra-high definition touch screen TV.

The 52 Business Suites will feature sliding doors for additional privacy, lay flat bed, large dining table, bespoke lighting and 18″ 4k ultra-high definition touch screen TV.