Project Sunrise: Qantas’s Jet-Lag-Beating Cabin Lights
Published 07 August 2024
As part of its efforts to maximise in-flight passenger wellbeing, Australian airline Qantas has devised a new circadian-rhythms-inspired lighting system for use on its ultra-long-haul flights. The lighting effects, which mimic the sun across Australian landscapes, will help travellers adjust to changing time zones before landing.
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The advanced cabin lighting – the result of five years of research in collaboration with scientists at the University of Sydney – is modelled on the imperative role light cycles have on setting human body clocks. It works by translating natural light patterns into coloured light sequences that shift throughout the duration of the flight.
A series of 12 scenarios has been developed to optimise circadian adaptation on board, preparing passengers for jumps forwards or backwards in time to ultimately minimise the impact of jet lag. These include Awake, a broad-spectrum blue-enriched effect to help people stay awake; Sunset, an immersive day-to-night transition that moves through the colours of a sunset into moonlight to prepare customers for sleep; and Sunrise, a dynamic sequence replicating an invigorating Australian sunrise. Welcome and Farewell scenes for boarding and disembarking and tailored scenes for taxiing, take-off and landing and sleep will also feature.
The lighting will form an integral part of Qantas’s Project Sunrise flights, scheduled to run non-stop from Australia’s east coast to New York and London from mid-2026, with flight times of up to 19 hours. Specialised meal planning and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone (complete with wall-mounted handles for stretching, onscreen guided movement content and a healthy drinks station) will also contribute to optimising passenger comfort and wellbeing.
In-flight experiences are becoming increasingly wellness-centric, as discussed in Wellness Travel Trends: 24/25 and In-Flight Innovations: 24/25.
