Qantas Project Sunrise goes ahead, 12 new A350-1000s ordered

[Melburnian1]

So MEL is getting a PS flight first!

Is this because it's a slightly longer distance than to SYD, and hence a 'better' test of the aircraft's capabilities?

Will it be fully loaded with (up to) 238 passengers and luggage, although presumably no freight?

'The Australian' says that the flight is on 24 July 2026. I assume that's the departure date, so probably a 25 July arrival in MEL, a Saturday.

The same report claims the purchase price of each A350-1000ULR is approximately A$330 million.

It quotes an analyst who suggests that the aircraft will be able to carry high value freight, and this should contribute a third of earnings. Remains to be seen: apart from blood and similar products, is there any freight that's so urgent it must save a few hours between continents? (I acknowledge that some air freight may instead spend hours at an intermediate airport if it has to be transferred from one aircraft to another at say SIN, HKG or elsewhere).

 

[TeaKozy]

Not that it's an issue on the SYD-LHR flights, but I'm curious how exactly the 'wellbeing zone' will work on those destined for JFK given how strict the TSA (and the crew) are about congregating in shared areas, such as the galley. Will they only one person at a time?

I know the A380 has the lounge, however not sure if being seated somehow permits this.

 

[dajop]

Is this because it's a slightly longer distance than to SYD, and hence a 'better' test of the aircraft's capabilities?

Common misconception. MEL is 200mi closer to TLS. People forgot about the east west element when heading north west.

Maybe so don’t have to worry about curfew?

 

[Economy_Gold]

Only today I have spotted on the Qantas A350 page that the benefits include " Plan your perfect meal - A new way to dine. Pre-select your meal before you board and take the guesswork out of inflight dining."
It's great to read that QF is bringing back pre-ordering of meals as I really value this feature.
Have I missed a previous announcement about this?

 

[mjt57]

Only today I have spotted on the Qantas A350 page that the benefits include " Plan your perfect meal - A new way to dine. Pre-select your meal before you board and take the guesswork out of inflight dining."
It's great to read that QF is bringing back pre-ordering of meals as I really value this feature.
Have I missed a previous announcement about this?

Will they be allowing vegan, ovo-vegetarian folks to also pre-order? Or will they get some slop that the "chefs" think that they may like?

Asking for a wife....

 

[mbe1510]

Only today I have spotted on the Qantas A350 page that the benefits include " Plan your perfect meal - A new way to dine. Pre-select your meal before you board and take the guesswork out of inflight dining."

Not really a new way to dine as you say when it was a fixture about a decade ago. Used to love flying economy and picking an option, which were actually very decent compared to today.

Would be great if Qantas allowed you to pre select when or how you want your meals to be served in F and J.

 

[downgraded]

Will they be allowing vegan, ovo-vegetarian folks to also pre-order? Or will they get some slop that the "chefs" think that they may like?

Asking for a wife....

"a" not "the"? Perhaps I'm not supposed to ask.

 

[mjt57]

"a" not "the"? Perhaps I'm not supposed to ask.

I guess that I could've asked for a friend...

But no. When we fly and she requests a vege meal, it'll often come with something that only vegans would appreciate. That is, vegetarians often also consume dairy products and some egg based meals.

The dirty looks that some FAs have given her when she asks if the oil based spread could be swapped out for actual butter makes her wish that she stayed home, somtimes.

Hopefully these PS flights with the pre-ordering offferings will allow pax to order as per their dietary requirements.

 

[elanshin]

Seems currently confirmed to land at MEL on Jul 25 ( no time yet). I guess we have plenty of time to track once it takes off.

Common misconception. MEL is 200mi closer to TLS. People forgot about the east west element when heading north west.

Maybe so don’t have to worry about curfew?

Curfew, SYD being busier, random weather/ATC events closing a runway down can all cause disruptions. Probably safer to pick MEL (or BNE) than SYD.

 

[SYD]

Only today I have spotted on the Qantas A350 page that the benefits include " Plan your perfect meal - A new way to dine. Pre-select your meal before you board and take the guesswork out of inflight dining."
It's great to read that QF is bringing back pre-ordering of meals as I really value this feature.
Have I missed a previous announcement about this?

Makes perfect sense. Minimise wastage and weight by bringing onboard what people prefer - with the added benefit of getting your first choice!

Hopefully returning to regular flying soon. No idea why it hasn’t returned? It’s surely a win-win system?

 

[Quickstatus]

Will they be allowing vegan, ovo-vegetarian folks to also pre-order?

Isnt' that "Dietary meals" which are pre-requested
SSR VLML is the code. (special service request vegetarian lacto ovo meal)

But you are suggesting that there be more than one choice of VLML?
Reasonable, and it is a pity as some vegetarian meals are actually quite good.

take the guesswork out of inflight dining."

Will still be a guess - no way of knowing if it is going to be good or not.

 

[RooFlyer]

Will still be a guess - no way of knowing if it is going to be good or not.

Sure, but at least the beef you chose will be good or bad - not the tofu curry that was all that was left over in row 2.

 

[Quickstatus]

Sure, but at least the beef you chose will be good or bad - not the tofu curry that was all that was left over in row 2.

On several occasions, though, I have found the preorder to be less appetising than the usual "mystery box" beef or tofu offering.

But overall, Im all for preordering all meals so that your seat allocation does not affect the outcome of the meal lottery.
Especially when the FA decides that they prefer something that turns out to be popular.

 

[SYD]

On several occasions, though, I have found the preorder to be less appetising than the usual "mystery box" beef or tofu offering.

But overall, Im all for preordering all meals so that your seat allocation does not affect the outcome of the meal lottery.
Especially when the FA decides that they prefer something that turns out to be popular.

In the past, the preorder was was basically the same as the menu on board.

Absolute “no brainer” to pre-order.

AA has maintained pre-order for years and it’s exactly the same as onboard. Pre-ordering ensures wannabes upgraded don’t snaffle your preferred choice. Always fun hearing the “effluencers” complain that they’ve only got tofu and quinoa salad.

 

[serfty]

In the past, the preorder was was basically the same as the menu on board.

Absolute “no brainer” to pre-order.

AA has maintained pre-order for years and it’s exactly the same as onboard. Pre-ordering ensures wannabes upgraded don’t snaffle your preferred choice. Always fun hearing the “effluencers” complain that they’ve only got tofu and quinoa salad.

No not quite ... pre COVID, Qantas had one or two "online only" pre-order options.

This was also the case last time I pre-ordered on AA first.

 

[AuSammy]

Is this because it's a slightly longer distance than to SYD, and hence a 'better' test of the aircraft's capabilities?

Will it be fully loaded with (up to) 238 passengers and luggage, although presumably no freight?

'The Australian' says that the flight is on 24 July 2026. I assume that's the departure date, so probably a 25 July arrival in MEL, a Saturday.

The same report claims the purchase price of each A350-1000ULR is approximately A$330 million.

It quotes an analyst who suggests that the aircraft will be able to carry high value freight, and this should contribute a third of earnings. Remains to be seen: apart from blood and similar products, is there any freight that's so urgent it must save a few hours between continents? (I acknowledge that some air freight may instead spend hours at an intermediate airport if it has to be transferred from one aircraft to another at say SIN, HKG or elsewhere).

Pondering if there is freight that can’t be carried via certain airports even in transit (banned) or high value where risk level is reduced if it only takes off and lands once (no chance if theft/ interference in transit).

 

[SYD]

No not quite ... pre COVID, Qantas pre COVID had one or two "online only" pre-order options.

This was also the case last time I pre-ordered on AA first.

Yep, you’re correct! I guess the point was that what’s offered onboard is there to pre-order, so crazy not to pre-order.

Obviously last minute upgrades at the gate don’t get to preorder. Cue tofu!

 

[AuSammy]

Yep, you’re correct! I guess the point was that what’s offered onboard is there to pre-order, so crazy not to pre-order.

Obviously last minute upgrades at the gate don’t get to preorder. Cue tofu!

All the tofu talk is intriguing. Ive never been offered tofu on any flight on any airline in 55 years of flying. (It might have been on the menu a couple of times).

 

[SYD]

All the tofu talk is intriguing. Ive never been offered tofu on any flight on any airline in 55 years of flying. (It might have been on the menu a couple of times).

It’s in jest but trust me, there’s more tofu out there on airline menus than many realise. eg QF HKG-SYD in Dec.



Those who like it applaud it, those who don’t just park their optical blind spot over that text.

 

[RooFlyer]

All the tofu talk is intriguing. Ive never been offered tofu on any flight on any airline in 55 years of flying. (It might have been on the menu a couple of times).

My recent SYD-BKK on QF .

park there optical blind spot over that text.

I did, and missed the tofu bit, and ordered the curry