Ahead of Qantas’ landmark direct flights to London, the airline is rolling out an industry first collaboration focused on air travellers’ health and wellbeing.
The airline is joining hands with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre to research strategies to combat jetlag.
The partnership hopes to transform the customer experience through new initiatives in menu design and service timings, pre and post-flight preparation, transit lounge wellness and overall cabin environment including lighting and temperature.
It is particularly focused on long haul routes that its new Dreamliners will operate, said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
"While the Dreamliner aircraft itself is already a step change for passengers with its larger windows, increased cabin humidity and lower cabin altitude, the findings that will come from Charles Perkins Centre researchers will allow Qantas to design and develop a range of new innovations and strategies to complement the Dreamliner experience."
"By taking a holistic view of our customers, our partnership will examine everything from reducing the impact of jetlag through to health, nutrition and sleep through the entire journey experience," Joyce said.
The Charles Perkins Centre has already started work analysing the best combination of meals and beverages and the optimal time to serve them.
In addition, the airline is looking at the option to monitor Qantas frequent flyers in trials that involve wearable technology to measure biorhythms in flight.
"There is the potential for extraordinary health, science and engineering discoveries and innovations to come out of this research partnership, which will also provide the evidence-base needed for Qantas to implement strategies to further improve how people feel after a long haul flight," said Professor Steve Simpson, academic director of the Charles Perkins Centre.
