Qantas and University of Sydney Collaborate to Tackle Jet Lag on Ultra-Long-Haul Flights
Airlines and researchers are teaming up to combat jet lag during ultra-long-haul flights. Qantas, in partnership with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, has conducted research as part of its Project Sunrise program, aiming to operate non-stop flights between Sydney, New York City, and London by 2025.
The study’s preliminary results, released in mid-June, focus on minimizing jet lag for passengers and crew. Various strategies were tested during three trial flights, including:
- Adjusting cabin lighting and meal schedules to align with the destination’s time zone.
- Offering special food and beverage menus featuring ingredients known to induce sleep, such as chili and tryptophan-rich foods.
- Incorporating in-flight stretches and exercises.
Volunteer passengers wore wearable tech devices for monitoring, completed online cognitive tests, and maintained daily health logs before, during, and after the test flights. The findings indicated that these strategies helped volunteers experience less severe jet lag, improved in-flight sleep quality, and better cognitive performance in the days following the flight.
The study emphasized the importance of light exposure in reducing jet lag. To align passengers’ body clocks with the destination’s time zone, cabin lighting was adjusted throughout the flight. For example, on a flight departing New York City at 9 p.m., lights remained on for an additional six hours, turned off for 11 hours, and then turned back on for the final two hours.
Innovative meal timing was another key element. Instead of the traditional dinner on night flights, Qantas served lunch shortly after takeoff, aligning it with the destination’s time zone.
While the research results have not been published yet, early findings are considered promising by experts. Qantas plans to continue studying cabin lighting and color tone, departure and arrival times, and seasonal differences to refine its strategies further.
As Qantas awaits the delivery of 12 Airbus A350 aircraft in late 2025, equipped with a designated “Wellbeing Zone” for stretching and exercises, the airline is committed to improving passenger experiences on ultra-long-haul flights. These flights will notably reduce travel times between New York and London to Sydney by approximately three hours.
Passengers preparing for these extended journeys are encouraged to implement strategies to combat jet lag from the moment their flight departs, ensuring a more comfortable and restful experience.