Qantas’s A380 Planes Have Had a Makeover
The first of the revamped Airbus A380 fleet has welcomed its first passengers and thanks to its sleek and oh-so-chic new interiors, it seems flying has never looked so fabulous.
As part of a multi-million-dollar upgrade, the entire A380 Airbus fleet will undergo interior overhauls to its First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy cabins, with all 12 planes in the cohort refreshed by the close of 2020.
The most notable new features are found in Business Class, with the Skybed making way for the plush Qantas Business Suite, in keeping with the current Dreamliner offering. These sleek little stations have a cocoon-like feel, ensuring privacy and promising relaxation for travellers on particularly long travel legs. The suites also incorporate more storage, a smoother and more comfortable reclining bed and, helpfully, direct access to the aisle for every passenger, thanks to the introduction of a 1:2:1 configuration—a first for the A380 fleet.
Business Class passengers will also notice a refreshed in-flight lounge area, offering a welcome additional space to stretch out and find a change of scenery. There will be two lounges on the upper level that houses the First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy seats, with a design focus on sociability and relaxation. Offering cosy olive-green nooks based on ‘café-style’ seating and soft LED lighting for more intimate, soothing in-flight experience.
First Class is also getting a seating upgrade, with contoured cushioning, as well as a higher resolution entertainment centre replacing the existing screen.
The chairs in Premium Economy will match those that currently grace the Dreamliner, carrying the thoughtful elements of design to the new generation of A380 travellers. These inclusions extend to generously-sized entertainment screens, considerable personal storage, USB and AC power sockets as well a tablet holder, along with the comfy seating up to 10 per cent larger than the cabin's existing seating.
Travellers can enjoy the revamped cabins on routes such as Sydney to Singapore, London or Los Angeles, as well as Melbourne to Singapore and Los Angeles, with completion expected by the end of the year.
