On October 1, 2019, Qantas has introduced their newly refurbished Airbus A380 cabins. The project, which was first announced on August 25, 2017, finally delivered its first result – a new and top-of-the-line interior on one of the most iconic aircraft that currently fly today, the Super Jumbo. Including with upgraded seats and a new onboard lounge, the airline is also introducing a new cabin arrangement, allowing one extra passenger on board.
The “multimillion-dollar” upgrade will touch all 12 of Qantas’ A380. Two newly equipped Super Jumbos are coming by the end of the year and the project will be finished by the end of 2020. One A380 takes up to eight weeks to refurbish, according to the Australian flag carrier.
In total, the new cabin will now seat 485 passengers, who are separated into four classes: 14 First Suites, 70 Business Suites (previously 64), 60 Premium Economy (previously 35) and 341 Economy seats – 30 less than on the previous configuration.
This is the result of Airbus, together with Qantas, designing the interior layout to “use cabin space more efficiently”, thus improving the operating economics of the A380, according to Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce. The new configuration will also provide “a better experience in every part of the aircraft”, added Joyce.
Passengers will be able to indulge new First Suite, Premium Economy and Economy seats, including a new in-flight entertainment screen in First Class seats. Business Suites are replacing the departing Business Class Skybeds, as the former will allow passengers to access the aisle no matter where they are seated. This is achieved by configuring the Business Suites in a one-two-one configuration.
The refreshed Airbus A380, registered VH-OQK, will fly from London to Sydney via Singapore as flight QF2. It will depart London Heathrow (LHR) on October 1, 2019, at 21:05 local time and arrive 23 hours later, on October 2, 2019, at 5:10 AM in Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).