WHEN the much-vaunted Project Sunrise takes to the sky from 2026, travellers will be exposed to different light sequences at various stages of the flight.
Alongside ‘Welcome’ and ‘Farewell’ lighting scenes, Qantas will use blue-spectrum lighting to help travellers adjust to changing time zones as they travel, with crew able to soften this based on cabin mood and ambience.
This lighting scheme will also be used in Qantas’ special Airbus A350 Wellbeing Zone, which is designed to relax travellers while the rest of the aircraft is in a dark period.
When it’s time for sleep, the aircraft will transition through a simulated sunset into a moonlit night sky and slow cloud effect designed to help guests relax.
Conversely, a gradual lighting of the cabin from the front of the aircraft to the rear will rouse travellers with an authentic Australian sunrise.
Tailored scenes to suit the taxi, take-off and landing will also be implemented depending on the time of the flight.
Travellers in the six enclosed first class suites at the front of the aircraft will be able to tailor the lighting to their personal preference and whichever time zone they choose to be in.
Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace, said the carrier has relished the opportunity to work with experts to rethink the inflight experience for customers.
“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,” Wallace said.
“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.”
The new lighting patterns come from five years Qantas has spent working with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and Caon Design Office to study traveller behaviour and circadian rhythms on long-haul flights.
Using both real-world test flights and an A350 mock cabin at the Airbus Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg, researchers have created and tested hundreds of light patterns and sequences to reduce the impact of jetlag and improve overall guest wellness.
Dr Sveta Postnova from the Charles Perkins Centre said it was great to see circadian science being translated into practice.
