PLANE SMART
New Qatar Airways plane designed to reduce jet lag launches in the UK this weekend
The A350-1000 aircraft will have better cabin humidity and temperature zones, larger overhead cabins and lighting that helps jet lag
AS a rule, Economy cabins tend to get less comfy on planes while First and Business Class increase the luxury.
But Qatar Airways is bucking the trend this year – by improving life for Economy passengers as well as the VIPs.
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The airline has added Airbus’s first A350-1000 aircraft to its fleet - with the first flights from London to Doha taking off this Saturday.
Some big changes to the plane could make a massive difference to what it feels like to take a long-haul flight.
While First and Business Class have had a huge upgrade, Economy has had a hi-tech overhaul too.
Inside the cabin there will be 16-million-LED ambient lighting that minimises the effects of jetlag by allowing passengers to feel awake and sleepy at the correct times.
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According to Forbes, the new plane will have better cabin pressure and humidity, so travellers suffer less from dehydration during a flight.
There will also be improved cabin temperature zones – allowing smaller area of the planes to be regulated individually.
Cabin temperature zones have traditionally been hard to regulate from when end of the plane to the other – which is why the front can appear freezing cold while the back is comfortably warm.
It’s good news for those who always get sick after a plane journey too – the new A350-1000 aircraft will have hospital grade air filters to clear out the germs in the air.
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The planes will also have the largest overhead bins of any aircraft for maximum storage.
While this is less important for passengers taking long-haul flights – who are unlikely to be flying with just hand luggage, it will make the boarding process much smoother.
Obviously the best changes of all have been reserved for those who turn left when they board a plane though.
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The world's first double beds in business class will take the passenger experience "to a new level" on flights from London to Doha, an airline has claimed.
In the cabins, customers in adjoining seats can create their own double bed by removing privacy panels.
The "Qsuites" are available to Business Class passengers on the daily Boeing 777 service from London Heathrow to Doha from this weekend.
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One seat costing from £1,600 - so £3,200 for a double.
Up to four passengers travelling together are also able to transform their seats to form a private area, so families, friends or colleagues can dine, socialise and work in a group.
Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors on the centre four seats transform the four seats into a private room.