On Friday (October 18) a brand new Qantas Boeing 787-9 will take off from New York and fly direct to Sydney, Australia with 40 people – a mix of Qantas employees, crew and scientists.
This is a research flight that Qantas is operating to gather data about inflight passenger and crew health and wellbeing on ultra-long-haul journeys ahead of ‘Project Sunrise’ – non-stop commercial flights from the east coast of Australia (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) to London and New York.
The flight will have a maximum of 40 people, including crew, to minimise weight and ensure the necessary fuel range. Carbon emissions from the flights will be fully offset, Qantas says.
The on-board research is being designed in partnership with Sydney University’s Charles Perkins Centre and Monash University.
People in the cabin – mostly Qantas employees – will be fitted with wearable technology devices and take part in specific experiences at varying stages of the flight.
Scientists and medical experts from the Charles Perkins Centre will monitor sleep patterns, food and beverage consumption, lighting, physical movement and inflight entertainment to assess impact on health, wellbeing and body clock.
Pilots will wear an EEG (electroencephalogram) device that tracks brain wave patterns and monitors alertness. The aim, says Qantas, is to establish data to assist in building the optimum work and rest pattern for pilots operating long-haul services.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the flights will give medical experts the chance to do real-time research that will translate into health and wellbeing benefits.
