Less than two years from now, a new aviation milestone should have been achieved – the world’s longest non-stop flight. Australia’s flag-carrier Qantas hopes to realise “Project Sunrise” – so-called because passengers on the flights will see two sunrises – by 2027.
The non-stop routes will be a game-changer for passengers travelling across the world, who will no longer have to change planes en route. They are being made possible by engineering, thanks to modified Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that will carry enough fuel for the journey.
How the A350-1000 planes will be configured (Photo: Qantas)As part of Project Sunrise, scientists are working to minimise the human impact of these journeys, designing an algorithm aimed at keeping passengers’ circadian rhythm – or body clock – as well-adjusted as possible.
“Every single cell in your body has its own little 24-hour clock”, he tells The i Paper, explaining that working out circadian rhythm can help ease jet lag and make unnaturally long journeys more tolerable.
The planes will have well-being areas and juices for hydration (Photo: Qantas)Simpson worked on Qantas’s ultra-long haul launch between London and Perth in Western Australia in 2018 (average flight time 16 hours 43 minutes), and while he says “there’s nothing really qualitatively different about flying from London to Sydney rather than Perth in a metal box”, he and his team have been working hard to make the longer flights less uncomfortable.
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“We’ve come together with the airline to develop an integrated programme that could reformulate the ultra-long haul journey experience.”
In the departure lounge and in the in-flight kitchen, Qantas’s chef, Neil Perry, is helping to design hydration stations serving juices without sugars which can affect circadian rhythm.
There will be fewer seats onboard the modified Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that will fly the routes – 238 compared to 300 on a regular A350 – designed for increased comfort.
The A350-1000 seat formation will range from 3-3-3 in economy – with 33-inch pitch and a six-way adjustable headrest – to hotel-suite-style first-class berths, with a 6ft 5in flat bed, an inch longer than an A380 first-class bed, as well as a separate reclining armchair and a full-length wardrobe.
A first-class seat (Photo: Qantas)“If we get the timings of the meals right, alongside this suite of other things, we predict jet lag will be eased quantifiably,” Simpson says.
“On many airlines, the timing of meals is often completely wrong, the cabin temperatures don’t follow the rhythmicity that they should to encourage sleep at the right times. They’re often too hot or too cold and the level of hydration is not necessarily optimised,” he explains.
He goes on to explain that the cost of jet lag is “extraordinary”.
Passengers on the route will see sunrise twice on the journey (Photo: Jaromir/Getty)“That reduces downtime, it increases productivity, it improves holiday time and gives economic benefit. It’s really a challenge worth solving.”
The science applies on shorter journeys, too
This can apply to short haul flights too, especially if you follow a few straightforward steps.
Nevertheless, he understands that flying is often a memorable experience: “If you want to enjoy a glass of something, you should,” he says.
Simpson also suggests avoiding caffeine, and surprisingly, chillies.
Exposure to light is critical to the body’s circadian rhythms (Photo: Getty)
While food and physical activity can help to reset circadian rhythm, “light sits at the top of the hierarchy, and it’s the most important cue”, he says.
He’s drawing on his own experience, flying from Sydney to Montana, USA for a conference.
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It is important to consider your body clock before travelling to the airport, too.
“Work towards your destination time for a few days before you leave,” he advises, “Depending on which direction you’re going, go to bed a little bit later, or a little earlier, in the appropriate direction. It’s going to take time, but you need to be helping your clock get used to the destination time zone.”
“Don’t drink too much on the plane – and absolutely avoid bright lights at the wrong time.”
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