Qantas unveiled their first refurbished A380 in October 2019, the new look A380 includes a refurbished first class, an upgraded business class (now fitted out with the Skybeds seen on the airline's Dreamliners) and a new first/business lounge.
We flew on the retrofitted plane between Sydney and LA (the aircraft is currently rotating on between Sydney - LAX and Sydney - Singapore - London until Qantas receive their next delivery up upgraded planes).
Related: Read our review of the Qantas New A380 First Class Inflight Dining
Qantas New A380 First Class Cabin
The Qantas first class has received a makeover and a bit of a facelift on the new (retrofitted) A380. The seats haven't been replaced but they have been reupholstered in a neutral light Grey, to lift the look of the cabin.
New Qantas A380 First Class Seat
The A380 first class cabin is arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration with 5 rows, making it a nice compact cabin.
Qantas A380 First Class Cabin
Qantas A380 First Class Cabin
Initially it feels as though the middle seats are very open without much privacy, however screens are lifted after take off that close off one side of these suites, giving them as much privacy as the window suites.
Qantas A380 First Class middle row seats
Qantas A380 First Class middle row seats with privacy screen raised
Qantas First Class Suite
Within your suite or 'Open Suite' as the airline calls them, there is plenty of room. Your seat faces forward for take of and landing but once in the sky you can press the swivel button which turns the chair towards the window and entertainment screen.
Qantas First Class Suite
Qantas First Class Suite
To the side of your seat is a console which is large enough to hold a few items on top of, and contains 2 storage compartments (this is also where yo'll find your headphones).
Console and Storage
A small pocket to hold a book or table at the side of your seat, and a nifty water bottle holder round out your inflight storage.
Storage Pocket
Water Bottle Holder
Your seat is controlled by a panel conveniently located to the side of your seat. As you'd expect there are a variety of adjustments you can make to your seat. All easily achieved at the touch of a button including swivelling your seat, tilting, raising your leg rest, converting to a flat bed and activating your massage function.
Seat control panel is located next to your seat
Variety of Seat Adjustments Available
Qantas First Class Seat Controls
Also tucked within your console is the controller for your entertainment system. This is where another upgrade for the A380 first class comes into play, the entertainment screens have been upgraded to a higher quality and resolution with increased responsiveness.
Entertainment Controller
The entertainment system is packed with on-demand entertainment including movies and, my personal favourite, TV show Box Sets. Qantas is one of the few airlines that truly understands how binge watching a TV show can pass the hours and have full seasons of blockbuster shows loaded, not just a few episodes from selected seasons.
Qantas Inflight Entertainment
Qantas A380 First Class Inflight Amenities
Qantas first class passengers are gifted an amenity kit, slippers and Martin Grant Pyjamas upon boarding. The pyjamas and slippers come in a couple of different sizes and I was given the option to choose my size from the flight attendant. The newly designed Martin Grant pyjamas were extremely comfortable to sleep and lounge about in and will certainly will keep you warm.
Martin Grant Pyjamas, slippers and inflight amenity kit.
First Class Martin Grant Pyjamas
The amenity kit was packed with a variety of inflight essentials including a good quality eye mask, deodorant, teeth cleaning kit, socks, earplugs and ASPAR skincare products.
Qantas First Class Amenity Kit
A pair of noise cancelling headphones were also provided for use inflight, and a handy headphone hook next to your headrest is perfectly placed to hold your headphones when not in use.
Handy headphone hook
Qantas A380 First Class Bed
Many airlines seem to be aiming for the 'best sleep in the sky' tag at the moment, and Qantas would have to be in the running with one of the best mattress toppers we've seen inflight.
Qantas First class Bedding
The seat converts into a 2.12 metre fully flat bed, which the flight attendant offered to set up for me after the meal service was completed. Returning from the bathroom the bed was fully set with mattress topper, quilt, and 2 pillows. The mattress topper is made from memory foam and makes the world of difference. Once converted you feel like you are in an actual bed, rather than a seat that has been Converted to a bed.
Qantas First Class Bed
Qantas A380 Business & First Class Onboard Lounge
The onboard business class and first class lounge has also been given a revamp with the new A380. Located at the top of the stairs, the lounge is fitted out with dark upholstery arrange in 3 booths to allow for groups and friends to sit together.
Qantas A380 Onboard Lounge
Qantas A380 Onboard Lounge
Qantas A380 Onboard Lounge
The lounge has a large entertainment screen and self serve bar stocked with drinks and snacks including chips and popcorn.
Self Serve bar – A380 Lounge
Self Serve bar – A380 Lounge
Self Serve bar – A380 Lounge
Qantas A380 First Class Dining
The Qantas first class dining offering is exceptional with a full menu created by Neil Perry and the Rockpool team. Read our review of Qantas's first class inflight dining here.
Qantas First Class inflight Dining
To book your Qantas first class flights and maximise your status accrual, search availability online or contact our QFlyer Specialist Airfare Consultants.