Introducing the next generation of Qantas business class: the Qantas A350 business class, set to debut on the non-stop ‘Project Sunrise’ flights connecting Sydney and Melbourne with destinations such as New York, London, and Paris by late 2025.
Dubbed the Qantas A350 Business Suite, the seat design is built upon Safran Seats’ Unity platform, but with extensive customization and meticulous styling by David Caon, who also played a key role in shaping the airline’s business class seats on the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380.
Equipped with a range of luxurious features, the Qantas A350 Business Suite offers passengers sliding doors, a spacious fully lie-flat bed, an expansive 18″ video screen with Bluetooth audio connectivity, convenient USB-C and wireless device charging, complimentary high-speed WiFi, and much more.
The unveiling of the A350 Business Suite coincided with Qantas’ announcement of a pre-tax profit of $1.4 billion for the July-December 2022 period. Additionally, the airline recently invested $100 million in lounge facilities, including upgrades to the Sydney and Melbourne international business class lounges and the establishment of a dedicated first class lounge at London Heathrow.
Qantas has officially announced that the Airbus A350 will take over the Perth-London route in 2026, replacing the Boeing 787-9. Furthermore, it is expected that a second batch of A350 orders will lead to these advanced twinjets effectively replacing the Airbus A380s, which are projected to retire by the end of the decade.
In addition to the Perth-London route, the A350s are anticipated to assume other flagship routes currently operated by the Boeing 787. Although both aircraft types have a similar seat capacity, the A350s will allocate a larger proportion of their seats to premium cabins (first class, business class, and premium economy) that generate higher revenue compared to the Dreamliner.
Qantas has revealed that there will be a total of 52 business class suites located behind six exclusive first class suites on the Qantas A350 aircraft. The specific details regarding the premium economy and economy seats on the A350 will be disclosed at a later date.
The business class suites will be divided into two separate cabins, with 28 seats in one cabin and 24 seats in the other. These cabins will be separated by a self-service snack bar and a galley kitchen.
In order to enhance the spaciousness of the wide-bodied Airbus A350, Qantas has opted not to include overhead luggage bins in the center area, following the example set by other airlines. Instead, passengers will find storage bins above the window seats, designed to accommodate the carry-on luggage of all travelers. Airbus has ensured that these bins are sufficiently large to meet the needs of every passenger.
The layout of Qantas’ A350 business class is consistent with their existing Business Suites. The seating arrangement for the individual “window seats” alternates between being positioned closer to the window or adjacent to the aisle.
The paired middle seats in Qantas’ A350 business class are arranged in a configuration often referred to as “honeymoon & divorce.” In this layout, the seats that are positioned next to each other are referred to as the honeymoon seats, while the seats that are placed furthest apart are known as the divorce seats.
Similar to the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 Business Suites, the Qantas A350 business class features a motorized divider panel between the middle seats that can be adjusted to meet individual preferences. The suite itself has a width of 42 inches, with the seat measuring 25 inches across, providing an extra inch of space compared to the A380 and Boeing 787 Business Suites. The walls of the suite are covered in a soft-touch material that enhances comfort and reduces noise, contributing to a luxurious residential feel. Each seat is accompanied by a cushioned leather ottoman, which not only serves as part of the 80-inch bed length but also offers additional storage space when lifted up.
The Qantas A350 Business Suite is surrounded by 47-inch walls, featuring a sliding door at the same height. However, it should be noted that the interior side of the doors does not have the noise-dampening fabric lining.
While some passengers may choose to keep the doors open for the majority of the flight, they are particularly appreciated during overnight segments. The doors provide privacy and help minimize disruptions caused by cabin noise and movement from both passengers and crew. In addition to the provided headphones, passengers on the Qantas A350 Business Suite have the option to utilize the Bluetooth audio streaming system. This feature allows them to connect their own high-quality noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds via Bluetooth to enjoy the inflight entertainment system.
Qantas ensures passengers aboard the A350s will have access to fast and complimentary WiFi, similar to the airline’s domestic inflight Internet service. This enables travelers to stream and indulge in their preferred content during the extensive 18-20 hour flights.
Adjacent to the 18-inch ultra-high definition video screen, there is a compartment in front of the seat that has been ingeniously divided into two sections by designer David Caon using a coat hook, eliminating the risk of items getting misplaced in a single recess.
According to Caon, the incorporation of these storage areas goes beyond mere convenience and contributes to a clean and organized appearance, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the suites. The design approach is focused on achieving a refined sense of luxury that is understated and avoids excessive opulence or extravagant elements.
