Qantas has a few dozen Airbus A350s on order, which will likely be used to function the world’s longest nonstop flights, like Sydney to New York. There’s quite a bit to be enthusiastic about with these plane, however we’ll must be affected person.
Whereas these planes have been first presupposed to enter service in 2025, we’ve simply discovered that they’ve been delayed by round six months, till mid-2026, as a result of manufacturing delays. So let’s go over all the main points of what we will anticipate with this addition to Qantas’ fleet.
Qantas has 24 Airbus A350-1000s on order
Qantas has a complete of 24 Airbus A350-1000s on order:
We are able to now anticipate the primary A350 to be delivered to Qantas in mid-2026, although I think about that timeline has the potential to slide even additional, given how all the provision chain points that airways cope with these days.
The A350-1000 is the biggest variant of the A350 household, and the aircraft has unbelievable economics and vary. Qantas will likely be taking these capabilities to the following degree.
The airline is profiting from all of the incremental enhancements which were made to this plane over time, together with a better most takeoff weight, which additionally permits the plane to hold extra gas. Qantas’ A350s may even characteristic extra gas tanks, to make the most of that increased takeoff weight. Moreover, because of Qantas’ premium heavy configuration, the airline will likely be maintaining the burden of the aircraft down, additional maximizing vary.
Qantas will use A350s for Undertaking Dawn flights
For years, Qantas has been engaged on what it calls “Undertaking Dawn,” which is the aim of working nonstop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London. These flights will all be 10,000+ miles, may take 20+ hours, and would be the world’s longest flights. They’ll characterize an enormous discount in journey time for these markets, and can seemingly be well-liked, particularly with premium vacationers.
Qantas initially simply ordered 12 A350s, which might have coated the provider’s wants for these flights. Nonetheless, Qantas finally doubled its order, so you may anticipate A350s to even be used for different premium, extremely lengthy haul flights.
So don’t be shocked to see Qantas fly A350s in another current markets (like Sydney to Los Angeles, particularly when A380s finally retire), in addition to to some potential new markets that wouldn’t in any other case be potential (like Sydney to Paris).
Qantas Airbus A350-1000 passenger expertise
Qantas’ A350-1000s will likely be specifically configured for lengthy haul flying, and will likely be in a really spacious configuration:
- Qantas’ A350-1000s will carry simply 238 passengers, which is approach fewer seats than you’ll discover on most carriers’ A350s
- The planes will characteristic 4 courses of service, together with six top notch seats, 52 enterprise class seats, 40 premium financial system seats, and 140 financial system seats
- Financial system will characteristic 33″ of pitch, which is extremely beneficiant, and far more spacious than what you’d sometimes discover in financial system (the place 31″ is the usual for lengthy haul flights)
- Qantas will likely be introducing a brand new top notch suite and enterprise class seat with a door on A350-1000s
- Qantas A350-1000s will characteristic a devoted wellness zone
- Qantas A350-1000s will characteristic quick and free Wi-Fi, in partnership with Viasat
I’ll discuss extra in regards to the cabin interiors in a separate put up, as a result of there’s tons to cowl.
Backside line
Qantas has a complete of 24 Airbus A350-1000s on order, which is able to now be delivered in mid-2026 (slightly than late 2025). That is an thrilling new plane for Qantas, as it will likely be used for Undertaking Dawn flights, instantly connecting Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London.
Qantas’ A350s will likely be in an excellent premium configuration, with simply 234 seats. You possibly can anticipate new merchandise throughout all cabins, a wellness zone, and even quick and free Wi-Fi. I’m excited to see these planes in service, although sadly we’ll must proceed to be affected person…
What do you make of Qantas’ Airbus A350 & Undertaking Dawn plans?
