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Qantas turns to science to counteract jetlag & keep guests healthy

The world's longest flight currently crosses 10 time zones in 17.5 hours, a figure Qantas plans to beat by 30 minutes in March next year when its direct Perth-London flights take off.

The world’s longest flight currently crosses 10 time zones in 17.5 hours, a figure Qantas plans to beat by 30 minutes in March next year when its direct Perth-London flights take off.

The duration of long-haul travel is drastically increasing as demand for direct travel rises, but one has to wonder, just how healthy is it for humans to be locked up in a metal cabin for almost an entire day?

Aside from potentially losing their minds with boredom…

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… the physical side effects from super long-haul services can include excessive bodily gas, potential DVTs and even extreme jet lag.

Qantas is hoping to minimise these effects by collaborating with Australia’s leading academic institution, The University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, to reshape the travel experience.

Among the projects they’ll work on include counteracting jetlag and different types of onboard exercises and movements. There’ll also be a focus on menu design with Neil Perry working on new foods for the Dreamliner 787, which will take care of both health and hunger.

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Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the partnership has the potential to transform the journey for passengers, particularly on the long haul routes that the Dreamliner is scheduled to operate.

“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,” Joyce said.

“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.”

Alan Joyce, Qantas Group Chief Executive

“We’re all looking at how we can prepare passengers ahead of their long haul flight, and of course on board and when they arrive at their destinations; we want our customers to feel their best at the end of their flight with us,” he added.

“The centre’s research has already influenced what meals and beverages we’ll be serving onboard and when, cabin lighting and temperature as well as the airport lounge experience.”

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Qantas and the Charles Perkins Centre are looking at opportunities to involve some Qantas frequent flyers in trials that involve wearable technology in the measurement of existing biorhythms during travel, enabling future products to be developed and designed with the insight of robust data.

Watch the video below to learn more about their work:

What’s your biggest health concern when it comes to super long-haul travel?