Airbus’ early concepts for the A380 teased plenty of innovative ways to use the plane’s ample space.
But only a handful of the dozen airlines flying the double-decker jet chose to swap revenue-raising seats for a lounge where first and business class passengers can mingle at 40,000 feet.
Qatar Airways is the latest to join the superjumbo social club, alongside Gulf competitors Emirates and Etihad and, to a lesser extent, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Qantas.
Qatar’s A380 lounge
Qatar’s curvaceous combo bar/lounge sits at the rear of the business class cabin on the A380’s top deck.
The sweeping design comes incorporates sofa-style seating and elegant lighting.
The bar’s location also puts it just ahead of a small 56 seat economy cabin, where passengers will be afforded tantalising glimpses through the curtain of life at the pointy end.
Photo tour: Inside Qatar’s Airbus A380 first, business class
Emirates' A380 bar
Emirates won boasting rights as the first A380 airline to boast a stand-up bar, complete with an on-duty bartender to keep the spirits, snacks and chat flowing.
This nook at the tail-end of Emirates’ A380 upper deck has become a favourite haunt for many business travellers and frequent flyers, even if it’s just a way to stretch your legs or a change of scenery on long flights.
Etihad’s A380 Lobby
Taking its cues from the world of hotels, Etihad has christened the lounge of its forthcoming Airbus 380s as The Lobby.
This serviced lounge and bar is located between the first and business class cabins.
The design is inspired by the Arabian concept of the Majlis, which is a space where guests are met and entertained.
Etihad’s unique approach sees The Lobby as an area which offers the social qualities of a bar without looking like a bar.
It includes a semi-circular leather sofa, a marquetry table and a 32 inch TV screen on which passengers can watch live TV channels.
While no other airlines match the Gulf trio, four have at least set aside a little room for something other than seats and stand-up refreshment areas.
Korean Air’s A380 Prestige Lounge is more of a large lounge than a bar...
... although there’s a to-be-expected assortment of snacks and drinks.
The front-right corner of the A380’s nose is a popular nook for small lounges so that travellers can at least escape their seat for a sofa.
This includes Qantas…
… and Asiana Airlines.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
13 Aug 2013
Total posts 80
What about Virgin Atlantic? They have a bar too.
The design of the Bar's on Korean and Asiana are way too sterile and hospital like, resembling bathrooms. The other airlines have got it right, going for a warmer and more welcoming tone.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Sep 2014
Total posts 4
I don't think they own any A380's though do they?
13 Aug 2013
Total posts 80
I don't know myself. I missed that bit. Oops
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 466
Ya..But read the story.And they retain no A380 aircraft.
19 May 2014
Total posts 40
You have the middle eastern carriers and then you have qantas. Cant stop laughing.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
Korean Air precedes Qantas in the list...I don't think Korea (North or South) is in the Middle East, but I stand corrected. ;)
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 440
Many airlines ultimately find the lounge area at the front right becomes a complete waste of space (eg TG A380). With a comfortable seat, no one needs another one. For all the silliness of the EK showers, at least its a space people use.
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 213
Have sampled the EK bar few times now, it's excellent, with great range of drinks on hand too plusm et many good people from all over while socialising.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1378
Pity Qantas never got the fishtank as shown in the picture, and instead the stylised crew logo.
I don't mind the QF seat - and great on overnight legs if everyone else asleep for watching a movie on the large TV.
But there is very little service in that area - you are better ordering drinks at your seat.
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
Emirates bar is great, especially for a short 7 hour flight, Ive spent half the flight there chatting!
Got to say though the Etihad 'lobby' looks the prettiest.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jul 2017
Total posts 4
+1 for the Emirates bar. I like how the staff treat it as something fun and unique. On my last flight they were taking polaroids of us pretending to serve drinks behind the bar
22 May 2015
Total posts 27
Thai airways also has a mini lounge on their A380 like Asiana. But I don't really think such a huge bar on an airplane is not really that Important. A small bar like Virgin Atlantic for social and for a snack would do just fine.
Virgin Australia - Platinum
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 86
Wait till you spend a good amount of time there Tommy - you forget your on an plane!
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 730
The Qantas Lounge upstairs looks very plain.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
Emirates Clearly wins here. It's not only a very pleasant space to be in, it's highly practical and simply works very well. The other bars may win design awards but I don t feel they are as functional as EK's bar. As or Qantas it really feels like it was a space they were wondering what to do with..."Oh lets put a bench seat there a TV and call it a lounge?!" It really doesn't fit into this article at all as its by no means a bar per se.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Airbus A380 bar wars: Qatar, Emirates and Etihad