Economy seats for the world’s longest direct flight revealed – and they feature the airline’s biggest legroom yet

By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 10:56 BST, 3 June 2025 | Updated: 10:56 BST, 3 June 2025

Qantas has revealed exactly what the new seats on its upcoming direct flights from London to Sydney will be like. 

The Australian airline’s new ultra-long-haul route is set to launch in 2027 and will take around 20 hours. 

At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Delhi, Qantas said that economy passengers on the lengthy flight would have the airline’s biggest legroom yet. 

The airline’s Airbus A350 planes will have 84cm of legroom in economy as well as two USB-C ports for fast-charging, reports The Times. 

Travellers will also have a 33cm TV screen, foot-net and storage space to keep glasses and personal items in. 

Qantas said: ‘The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat. 

‘We have also put a lot of time into researching how to make the flight more comfortable.’ 

The airline’s research includes looking at the best hours for meal times and cabin lighting on its upcoming ultra-long-haul flights. 

Qantas has revealed exactly what the new seats on its upcoming direct flights from London to Sydney will look like

The Australian airline’s new ultra-long-haul route is set to launch in 2027 and will take around 20 hours

The announcement comes after the president of Emirates claimed that airlines had been too focused on business and first class passengers. 

According to The Times, Sir Tim Clark said that airlines had been a ‘bit slow’ to update the economy experience for travellers. 

Recently, a potential prototype for a standing economy seat went viral online. The seat’s design would see passengers lean in a saddle-like position, unable to properly sit down. 

Although the seat has yet to be picked up by any airline, a survey revealed that Gen Z travellers are the most likely to be up for trying the unusual seat.  

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Economy seats for the world’s longest direct flight revealed – and they feature the airline’s biggest legroom yet

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