From dusk to dawn: how Qantas plans to outsmart jet lag with new lighting design

Qantas is undertaking a major renewal of its fleet over the next decade. New additions will include twelve Airbus A350-1000 planes that can fly non-stop from Australia's east coast to New York and London and allow Australians to "overcome the tyranny of distance." Since ultra-long haul flights can leave people jet-lagged, the airline worked with researchers at the University of Sydney on an advanced lighting system to help passengers adjust to their destination's time zone before landing.

By simulating natural light patterns, a series of twelve changes in brightness and color ease passengers into sleep or help them stay awake. Everything is carefully orchestrated to prepare people's body clocks for a jump forward or back in time. The lighting design includes sunrises and sunsets and draws inspiration from Australian landscapes. Enclosed suites in first class provide passengers with the additional option of selecting which time zone they want to be on for the duration of a flight.

→ Wellness can be integrated into almost every product and service. Customers will be especially delighted if health boosters aren't just thoughtfully embedded, but — like Qantas' anti-jet lag lighting — require absolutely no effort on their behalf.