Qantas A380 returns to Sydney-Hong Kong

Qantas is bringing its Airbus A380 back onto the Sydney-Hong Kong route from late October 2023 through to February 2024 in a sign of continued demand for travel to the Asian metropolis.

It’s a familiar pattern from pre-pandemic years, with the superjumbo increasing capacity across the peak travel season spanning from Australian summer through to Chinese New Year and beyond.

At the time of writing, the Qantas timetable shows the first A380 from Sydney to Hong Kong taking over from Airbus A330 which usually tackles the 9+ hour route as QF127 on Tuesday October 31 (and returning to Sydney as QF128 that same evening).

The superjumbo is then listed for every day except Monday and Thursday – on which days the A330 slots back in – until becoming a daily A380 service from mid-Deccember through to late February (although we stress that these schedules can change).

The red-tailed A380 represents a significant uplift compared to the A330, with almost 200 more seats each way each day – include more than twice as many in business class plus an extra hundred in economy (quite bearable for at least the Sydney-Hong Kong daytime leg).

The A380 also adds 35 premium economy seats into the mix, along with 14 first class suites – although in this instance those spacious suites will be sold and treated as business class, with the same meals, wine and service as the 64-seat business class cabin and at the same price as any other business class ticket.

And because this is the last Qantas A380 in its original ‘classic’ configuration – unlike its upgraded siblings – it’s fitted with old Skybed business class berths in a 2-2-2 layout.

The original Qantas A380 business class is a blast from the past.

That alone makes it worthwhile to try and be one of the 14 business class passengers to enjoy the A380’s refined first class suites and quieter cabin.

Swap your business class seat for a first class suite.

And if you’re flying with a friend stuck in Ye Olde Skybeds, they can join you in the suite to share a meal, a drink or even a game of cards.

Companion dining in Qantas' A380 first class.

So how do you escape the A380’s saggy two-across Skybeds and land yourself in first class?

As has been the case with these previous A380 first-sold-as-business ventures, the first class cabin is included on the seat selection chart for business class – so it’s just a matter of choosing a seat between row 1 and row 5.

The A380's first class cabin shows up on the business class seat map.

Executive Traveller understands that Platinum One frequent flyers, along with Chairman’s Lounge members, will be the first given the opportunity to upgrade themselves from a business class seat to a first class suite on their booking’s seat selection screen.

For everyone else, use the Qantas T-80 tactic as your departure date nears.

Any suites remaining unoccupied in the days prior to the flight can be assigned by Qantas to selected frequent flyers, or they may even appear on the business class seating chart if you use the Manage My Booking page to check or change your seat.

Business class meals somehow taste better in the first class cabin...

You can even ask at the check-in desk or the lounge if there’s a vacant suite still up for grabs; on the day of the flight, Qantas will likely offer any unallocated First seats to top-tier frequent flyers.

As to which suite to choose: suites 1A and 1K generally give you that ‘private jet’ feeling, while 2F – also known as the Harry Potter suite – delivers a cosy nest, and 5A and 5K amp up the privacy.

For the best view on the daytime flight to Hong Kong, opt for 4A and 4K, while on the overnight return leg, light sleepers should avoid 5F.

If you’re not flying in business class, note that Qantas will be selling premium economy on the Hong Kong-bound A380s – and again, these will be the original premium economy recliners, not the latest A380 premium economy seats – while of course there’s that delightful economy mini-cabin tucked away at the very back of the upper deck, from rows 32 to 36.

Headed to Hong Kong? Here’s how your Australian passport can be used to skip the immigration queues at Hong Kong Airport via the automated e-Channel lanes.