THE QANTAS A380
Qantas took delivery of its first Airbus A380 on 19 September 2008, before the aircraft operated its first commercial service, between Melbourne and Los Angeles, on 20 October. The airline’s second and third A380s arrived in December 2008, the fourth in August 2009, the fifth in December 2009 and the sixth in January 2010. The airline will have a 20-strong A380 fleet by 2015. The Qantas A380 operates daily services between Sydney and Los Angeles, as well as selected services between Melbourne and Los Angeles and Sydney and Melbourne to London via Singapore. The aircraft is configured with 450 seats – 14 in First, 72 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 332 in Economy – with each of the four cabins designed by Qantas Creative Director, Australian Marc Newson to offer customers more space and comfort then ever before.
FIRST The main deck First cabin features 14 private suites, each with wide screen LCD video monitors, a unique touch screen control unit and a seat, manufactured by B/E Aerospace’s VIP jet group, that swivels and reclines into a comfortable armchair and fully flat, extra long and very wide bed. In December 2009, the Qantas A380 First Suite won the Chicago Athenaeum Museum’s Good Design™ Award. First highlights:
14 individual suites featuring electronically adjustable seat with programmable positions and fully adjustable multi-zone massage function;
seat converts into a fully flat bed complemented by a mattress, sheepskin overlay and fitted cotton sateen sheeting;
electronically deployed 17 inch LCD widescreen video monitor;
touch screen control unit, operating all electronic functions including adjustable privacy screens and featuring a personal flight map;
leather guest seat and large dining table designed to accommodate two; a variety of personal storage options including dresser unit;
high quality finishes including Edelman leather and real wood; noise cancelling headset port, PC power, and USB ports;
electronically controlled dual layer window shades;
mood lighting and enhanced cabin soundproofing; and
designer amenities and pyjamas, soft furnishings and tableware featuring designs by Marc Newson.