World’s longest flight that lasts 22 hours will have very handy perk for economy seats

The world’s longest flight will connected Sydney and London, aiming to reduce travel time by four hours, but it will also have handy extras for travellers

The world’s longest flight will last 22 hours and have an unexpected perk for passengers in economy class. Airline Qantas has launched a new project that will connect Australia with the United States and UK.

Known as Project Sunrise, it will offer a direct flight between London and Sydney, eradicating the need for layovers in the likes of Dubai, the UAE, or Singapore. Launching in 2027, the project will use the long-range Airbus A350 aircraft.

Qantas says it expects to receive 12 of the new planes at its Sydney HQ at the end of the year. And in a video tour showing what they will look like, it revealed they will have “enclosed private suites” for travellers in first class as well as luxurious recliners.

The luxurious cabins will also boast six “generous personal storage areas,” while offering space for two people to work and dine. The business class suites meanwhile will have sliding doors, storage, a mirror, and an 18-inch screen.

The suites will also boast wireless charging and a privacy divider between seats. The two-metre-long seats fully recline to turn into a bed. The “premium economy” seats boast two high-speed charging ports, an adjustable calf rest, and a spacious seating area.

The planes will also be equipped with a Qantas “wellbeing zone” and a self-serve bar. The traditional economy seats will have 33 inches of legroom, and adjustable headrest, and a new feature designed for additional comfort.

They will come with a fold down shelf for personal devices such as iPads and phones. It means passengers won’t have to worry about spending 22 hours staring down at their phones.

The seats will also be equipped with 13.3-inch screens. Speaking last month on the first of their new aircraft, Qantas said: “All major structural components [are] now fitted including the fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear and engines.

“From next year, these aircraft will carry our customers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York for the first time ever – reducing flying time by up to four hours.”

Ahead of its launch next year, the new Qantas aircraft will undertake short and medium haul flights once delivered. This is thought to give the crew a chance to get used to the new planes.

The Project Sunrise name is said to pay homage to Qantas’ historic Double Sunrise flights which took place during World War II. Operated by the Consolidated Catalina flying boats, the flights connected Perth in Australia with Sri Lanka.

They lasted long enough to see two sunrises, leading to the name. Passengers on the aircraft were given certificates to say they had been airborne for longer than 24 hours.