Business Travel Guru

In less than 6 months Qantas is due to receive and start flights with their new Airbus A380, and as has happened with Singapore Airlines, it is set to revolutionise the airline, adding Qantas to a select group of airlines that will initially operate the A380.  For passengers flying on a Qantas A380 they should be treated to an onboard experience like no other, for Qantas the sales and marketing opportunities will be enormous.

As yet the exact delivery date and first commercial flight of the Qantas A380 is unknown, Qantas have stated their first aircraft will service the Melbourne to Los Angeles route and flights will begin in August 2008.

First pictures of the Qantas A380

The first pictuers below are of a 1/4 painted Qantas Airbus A380, on and after her first flight. The pictures are courtesy of JetPhotos.net (clicking on the photo will take you to the original full size photo on JetPhotos.net)

Cabin Configuration

All Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft will be configured with 4 cabin classes with First Suite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class, the Qantas A380 is expected to seat 450 passengers, with 14 in the First suite, 72 in Business, 32 in premium economy and 332 in economy, along with a business class lounge area. 

Qantas A380 First Suite Class will include the following features:

• 14 individual suites featuring electronically adjustable seat with programmable positions and fully adjustable multi-zone massage function
• Seat converts into a fully flat, extra long and wide bed with foam mattress, exclusive sheepskin overlay and fitted cotton sheeting
• Electronically deployed 17" LCD widescreen video monitor 
• Touch screen control unit featuring personal flight map and operating all electronic functions including electronically adjustable privacy screens
• Leather guest seat and large dining table designed to accommodate two
• Variety of personal stowage options including dresser unit
• High quality finishes including Edelman leather and solid wood 
• Noise cancelling headset port, PC power, USB and RJ45 ports
• Electronically controlled dual layer window shades 
• Main deck cabin with mood lighting and enhanced cabin soundproofing 
• Designer amenities, soft furnishings and tableware - female amenity kits designed by Collette Dinnigan and filled with products from Payot Paris. Male amenity kits by Akira Isogawa and filled with products from Payot Paris. Luxury cotton pyjamas, slippers and eyeshades by Akira Isogawa. Crockery, cutlery and glassware designed by Marc Newson and manufactured by Noritake, Alessi and Visy.

Qantas A380 Business Class will include the following cabin interior features:

• Enhanced Skybed electronically adjustable, sleeper seat, which at the touch of a button converts to extra longer, fully flat bed with pre-programmed seating positions, adjustable lumbar support, and improved massage function 
• Illuminated seat controller operating all seat functions, electronically deployed privacy divider and fully adjustable in-arm video monitor
• Variety of personal stowage options including dedicated spaces for laptops, headset, shoes, reading material, water bottle, and coat hook
• Multiple reading lights, noise cancelling headset port, PC power, RJ45 and USB port
• Lounge area featuring self-service refreshment bar, large sofa, seatbelts for inflight use, selection of reading material, large entertainment screen with laptop connection for presentations and feature display cabinet
• Upper deck cabin with mood lighting, seating configured in two-two-two layout
• Luxury amenities, soft furnishings and tableware - collectable male and female amenity kits designed by Marc Newson and filled with products from Australian skincare range Ultraceuticals. Soft cotton pyjamas and eyeshades by Morrissey. Crockery, cutlery and glassware designed by Marc Newson and manufactured by Noritake, Alessi and Visy.

Qantas A380 Premium Economy Class will boast the following features:

• Ergonomic, Recaro-manufactured seat with adjustable headrest, and integrated leg rest with fold out footrest 
• Large, in-arm, touch screen video monitor
• Wide centre console with fixed cocktail table and in-arm dining table 
•  Noise cancelling headset port, PC power, USB and RJ45 ports
• Literature pocket and waterbottle holder 
•  Seating configured in two-three-two layout 
• Upper deck cabin with mood lighting
• Self-service bar
• Crockery, cutlery and glassware designed by Marc Newson and manufactured by Noritake, Alessi and Visy.

Qantas A380 Economy Class Cabin will include the following interior features:

• Ergonomic, Recaro-manufactured seat with unique carbon fibre seat back, articulating seat base, flexible front edge 
•  Enhanced shin and knee clearance with unique net foot rest  Widescreen seatback personal video monitor 
•  Concealed in arm entertainment controller, PC power, RJ45 and USB ports 
•  Literature pocket and waterbottle holder
• Seating configured in three-four-three layout 
• Four self-service bars
• Main deck cabin with mood lighting
• Tableware designed by Marc Newson

In-flight Entertainment System When flying in a Qantas Airbus A380 passengers in all classes can expect the following in-flight entertainment options:

• 100 on Demand movies
• 500 Audio CDs
• 30 PC Style Games
• Selection of Audio Books, Language Tutorials, Destination Information, Business Education and radio Channels.
• Advanced graphic user interface to allow passengers to navigate thru entertainment options
• Wireless connectivity, In-seat laptop power, USB & RJ45 Ports to allowing customers to surf the internet or send and receive emails directly from their seat or personal laptop

In all Qantas have ordered 20 Airbus A380 aircraft, below is the latest aircraft registration details for the first 9 of these aircraft.

The features of Qantas’s Airbus A380 that have me most excited are the In-flight internet access, First Class suites, on board business lounge/bar, Premium Economy, and the 4 self service bars in Economy. That is a lot of new and innovative cabin features that will appeal to passengers travelling in any class.

Expect more details here in the future as Qantas release cabin photos, seat maps, and additional launch details.