Current:Home > MarketsAustralian airline rolls out communal lounge for long-haul flights-LoTradeCoin
Australian airline rolls out communal lounge for long-haul flights
View Date:2024-12-23 20:13:02
Soon, travelers on long-haul flights won't be restricted to pacing up and down the aisles if they want relief from squirming in their seats.
Australian airline Qantas Airways has unveiled the first communal lounge for economy-class passengers on long flights, the airline announced. Dubbed the "wellbeing zone," it will be part of the new Qantas A350-1000 jet, which takes its inaugural flight in 2025.
The jet will operate ultra long-haul flights, lasting up to 22 hours, between Sydney and London and New York.
The space will include will feature an "onboard stretch and movement space," the company said. The lounge is outfitted with sculpted wall panels and will feature integrated stretch handles, an on-screen guided exercise program and a station where passengers can pick up beverages and snacks. It will be situated between economy and premium economy classes.
Qantas has made space for the lounge by reducing its plane's passenger capacity. The jet will carry 238 passengers, far fewer than the 400-plus travelers other planes accommodate, Forbes reported.
"Fewer seats translate to more space for each customer and a dedicated 'wellbeing zone' for travelers to stretch, help themselves to a snack, and spend time out of their seat," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement. Qantas also promises relatively generous legroom in its economy and premium economy areas, with 33 inches and 40 inches of space, respectively.
Qantas' move to limit capacity, and offer its customers less interaction with their fellow travelers, comes at a time when other airlines are crowding cabins and reducing legroom, frustrating travelers. Over the past 30 years, airline seats have shrunk to 16 inches wide, in some cases, with as little as 28 inches of legroom.
The airline has also rolled out other offerings for passengers seeking greater comfort on long routes. Qantas' neighbor-free program, for example, allows travelers to reserve the seat next to them.
Jet-setting over long distances can tax travelers physically, causing fatigue, dehydration and sinus issues, among other symptoms, according to the CDC.
- In:
- Airlines
veryGood! (3)
Related
- 4 charged in Detroit street shooting that left 2 dead, 5 wounded
- Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo in concussion protocol, status for Week 4 uncertain
- Thailand receives the first Chinese visitors under a new visa-free policy to boost tourism
- Pretty Little Liars' Torrey DeVitto Is Engaged to Jared LaPine: See Her Gorgeous Ring
- Why the US celebrates Veterans Day and how the holiday has changed over time
- Pregnant Shawn Johnson Reveals the Super Creative Idea She Has for Her Baby's Nursery
- Usher to headline Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
- At least 20 dead in gas station explosion as Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee to Armenia
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- Nicolas Kerdiles, former NHL player and onetime fiance of Savannah Chrisley, killed in motorcycle crash at age 29
Ranking
- 2 credit unions in Mississippi and Louisiana are planning to merge
- UN rights experts decry war crimes by Russia in Ukraine and look into genocide allegations
- Sparkling water is popular, but is it healthy?
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla to welcome South Korea’s president for a state visit in November
- Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation’s largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week
- China goes on charm offensive at Asian Games, but doesn’t back down from regional confrontations
- Influential Kansas House committee leader to step down next month
- Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers: De'Von Achane delivers stellar game no one saw coming
Recommendation
-
Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
-
Flooding in the Mexican state of Jalisco leaves 7 people dead and 9 others missing
-
Sly Stallone's 'Expendables 4' belly flops with $8.3M, while 'Nun 2' threepeats at No. 1
-
Myanmar’s ruling military drops 2 generals suspected of corruption in a government reshuffle
-
College Football Playoff snubs: Georgia among teams with beef after second rankings
-
Journey to celebrate 50th anniversary with 30 shows in 2024: See where they're headed
-
El Paso Walmart shooter ordered to pay $5 million to massacre victims
-
The best movies we saw at New York Film Festival, ranked (including 'All of Us Strangers')