The world's longest flight is currently Singapore Airlines' mammoth trip from New York to Singapore, requiring 18 hours in the sky. Given this time, there is no true economy class product available, with 67 business class and 94 premium economy seats. The hard product for both classes is undeniably strong. However, it has been suggested that the cramming of 94 premium economy passengers into an area with one galley and three washrooms is breaking the product. Qantas' Project Sunrise will soon overtake this Singapore Airlines flight in terms of distance. It will grow from lessons taken from Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900ULR jets. The cabin will be far more wellbeing focused, going further than simply offering a strong hard product. An example is the dedicated 'Wellbeing Zone'.
Singapore Airlines' Premium Economy Experience
Nobody is arguing that Singapore Airlines doesn't have an excellent premium economy product. Passengers aboard the lengthy Airbus A350-900ULR flights can enjoy 38 inches (97 cm) of pitch and 19 inches (48 cm) of width, plenty of space for even flights that exceed 15 hours. Additional comfort is provided by a calf and footrest built into the seat. While the layout is 2-4-2, customers can pay an additional $140 for the two to become one. The four do slightly protrude into the aisle, making for a cramped experience outside the seats themselves.
The problem is that Singapore Airlines hasn't upgraded the lesser-considered aspects of premium economy, which is most felt at the aircraft's rear. Seats are also crammed in with little room not dedicated to passenger seating. Travel Dealz sums up the issue in their flight review: 'Behind is the curtain to the kitchen and lavatories. This is the only galley for the 94 passengers. Since the seat is practically hidden behind the curtain, a passenger is constantly slamming into the seat when they want to go back to their seat... I really felt sorry for the gentleman in row 43 on such a long flight'.
The additional queues for the lavatory are an annoyance for those with seats towards the rear of the cabin. The problem is particularly great when passengers are trying to sleep. Catching some shut-eye is non-negotiable given the length of the flight. Qantas Project Sunrise is set to use an A350-1000ULR rather than a -900ULR. The carrier will offer seating for 238 passengers, including six first class suites (1-1-1) and 52 business class suites (1-2-1). There will also be 40 premium economy seats (2-4-2). Unlike Singapore Airlines' A350-900ULR, there will be 140 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.
The effect of the 'Wellbeing Zone' is to create an unusually high amount of time away from the seats for economy and premium economy passengers. It comes as part of a developing rich tradition among Australasian airlines of reimagining economy class flying to make it tolerable and sustainable for trips over 15 hours. Another example is Air New Zealand's Skynest, sleeping pods which economy class passengers can book for four-hour blocks to get a far better quality of sleep than can be expected sitting bolt upright in economy class.
Project Sunrise is set to revolutionize ultra-long-haul aviation, making it both longer and more comfortable. However, it diverts from the all-premium cabin established by Singapore Airlines with the inclusion of an economy cabin (140 seats). Over 20 hours in economy class will be a struggle even for young travelers on a budget likely to use it.
Qantas' economy class passengers will experience its most spacious pitch for the lowest class at 33 inches (84 cm). They will also have a six-way adjustable headrest and a multi-use seat back table. The extra shelf for personal devices, entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, and fast-charging USB-C outlets will ensure these passengers remain entertained throughout the many waking hours.
Sacrificing this cargo isn't just a hit to overall revenue. Cargo revenues are inherently stable. Airlines can use it to compensate for fluctuating demand and ticket prices. As a result, Singapore Airlines is forced to ensure that it only flies its A350-900ULRs on routes that it can guarantee sales of high-value tickets. Operating a premium-only aircraft helps the carrier to meet this requirement.
