When does the Qantas A350-1000 start flying?

Commercial service is targeted for mid-2027. Test flights are expected in Q3 2026 following the delivery of the first aircraft frame from Toulouse in April 2026. The inaugural route is widely expected to be Sydney (SYD) to London (LHR), with Sydney to New York (JFK) also planned as part of Project Sunrise.

How many seats does the Qantas A350-1000 have?

Qantas's own A350 fleet page publishes the cabin breakdown as 6 First, 52 Business, 40 Premium Economy, and 140 Economy — 238 seats total. AeroLOPA's speculative seat map shows 30 Premium Economy (228 total), but AeroLOPA describes their layout as a pre-spec estimate from teaser images. We use the figure Qantas itself publishes.

Which are the best seats in Business Class on the Qantas A350-1000?

AeroLOPA's speculative layout highlights seats 15A and 15K as the most scenic Business Class positions, offering an optimal view forward. The entire Business cabin features doored suites in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration, so every seat has direct aisle access. Front-row seats (row 7) are typically best for early disembarkation and extra bulkhead space.

How does the Qantas A350-1000 compare to the Qantas 787-9?

The A350-1000 is a larger, longer-range aircraft specifically configured for ultra-long-haul flying. It carries 238 seats versus 236 on the 787-9, but with a very different cabin split: the A350-1000 has a First Class cabin (6 suites) that the 787-9 lacks, and its Economy cabin is 7-abreast (2-3-2) versus 3-3-3 on the 787-9. The A350-1000 has significantly greater range (~16,000 km vs ~14,000 km), enabling non-stop Sydney–London.

Is this seat map confirmed by Qantas?

No. This layout is speculative, based on the diagram published by AeroLOPA and cross-referenced with Qantas press materials as of May 2026. Qantas has not released an official seat map. Cabin counts (6/52/40/140) are our best interpretation of available data. We will update this page once Qantas publishes confirmed seat assignments.

Best Seats on Qantas Airbus A350-1000

The Qantas Airbus A350-1000, the centrepiece of Project Sunrise, is Qantas's most ambitious aircraft order yet — designed specifically to operate non-stop flights between Sydney and both London and New York. Carrying 238 passengers across four cabins, the ultra-long-haul configuration trades density for comfort, making it unlike any other Qantas aircraft in service.

The layout here is speculative, based on the diagram published by AeroLOPA and Qantas press material as of May 2026. Qantas has not yet released a definitive seat map. The first commercial A350-1000 frame arrived from Toulouse in April 2026; test flights are expected in Q3 2026, with commercial service targeting mid-2027. This page will be updated once an official seat map is published.

At 238 seats, the A350-1000 is significantly smaller than Qantas's current flagship, the A380 (484 seats), reflecting the airline's priority of comfort and range over passenger volume. All cabins feature power outlets, USB charging, Wi-Fi, and seatback entertainment. A dedicated Wellbeing Zone — Qantas's in-flight wellness area — sits between Premium Economy and Economy.