Australia-based Qantas Airways has decided to eliminate special privileges for senior executives on its new Airbus A350 fleet planned for ultra-long-haul flights. Under the Project Sunrise initiative, the airline has officially announced that it will no longer guarantee first class seats for executives and board members on nonstop flights exceeding 20 hours from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York.
The first class cabin on the new A350s will consist of only six exclusive suites. Each suite will feature an individual seat and a full-length bed. In contrast, Qantas’ currently operated A380 aircraft offer a larger first class section with 14 seats, where existing corporate privileges for executives will continue to apply.
The decision is primarily driven by commercial sustainability. Qantas management states that on such long-haul flights with premium-heavy configurations and high operating costs, filling the first class cabin exclusively with full-fare paying passengers is critical to financial success.
Seats occupied through corporate privileges are seen as a potential threat to the profitability of these flights. The policy will apply to all executives, including the CEO of Qantas.
