Qantas Airbus A380s to get two inflight business class lounges

EXCLUSIVE | Qantas' revamp of its Airbus A380 will see the superjumbos fitted with two new business class lounges on the upper deck, located either side of the 'grand staircase' which leads down to first class.
The current A380 lounge will go from this always-questionable design...

Marc Newson / Qantas
... to a more social cafe-inspired design with two tables fitted with soft LED lighting surrounded by comfortable padded benches.
This shows elements of an early conceptual sketch by Qantas designer David Caon, but obviously taking into account some real-world constraints such as a whopping great stairway off to the left.
On the other side of the stairway, where a small cabin crew office is currently tucked away, a second David Caon-designed nooks will arise. This will include a self-serve minibar for drinks and snacks plus a large video screen for watching inflight movies.
All 12 of the red-tailed superjumbos will roll into the hangar for a tip-to-tail refresh beginning in March 2019, with the entire fleet completed by the end of 2020.
In addition to the two new lounges, Qantas will rip out the A380's decade-old business class and premium economy seats and replace them with the latest business class and premium economy seats from the Boeing 787.
The first class suites will be refreshed rather than replaced, including the fitting of "contoured cushioning" plus a larger HD video display to replace the current 17 inch panel.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 324
Bet these spaces will hardly be used
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2442
I've used the current A380 lounge a few times, especially when travelling with colleagues or mates, but it's definitely not nearly as passenger-friendly as these new spaces – I expect the new lounges will see much more use.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 18
The current A 380 PE while a bit dated is pleasantly roomy. I wonder if the refit for PE will result in the same mostly disappointing reviews the Dreamliner PE receives
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 831
If they don't add some more pitch, it will be as disappointing as the 787. You'd hope they'd have learnt but you'd have your doubts.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2017
Total posts 42
A proper staffed bar area like on EK, Qatar would be more of a wow factor. Will the staircase will be removed? Otherwise there will be limited space.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2442
The staircase will remain and we believe it's not being replaced by Airbus' new narrow design.
04 May 2018
Total posts 45
No way they can remove stairs even the latest A380 designs only slim them to vertical stairways.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1210
I use it a little bit; just somewhere to sit and stretch. The new added space involves them moving the crew's office desk elsewhere and creating a better space. I have seen people have meetings in the current space so having two tables works well if there are groups that might need to meet, or just chat. Next they will have a booking sheet for it.
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 271
It would have been nice to see Qantas Zig against everyone else’s Bar Zag. Why not create a point of difference by putting in a Yoga / Pilates space - ie some kind of exercise area that doesn’t result in sweat stink!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1243
A yoga/pilates space? Dear god no.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 469
While the revamp completion date is years away,why revamp with a substandard outdated product.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 745
Instead of two rather bland looking nooks, how about a decent staffed Bar/Lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 35
Bit of a stretch to call this two lounges - it's still one area with space either side of the staircase like the current layout. It's just a different seating plan.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 831
It's not Qantas' fault but this area has no windows so will always feel a bit forgotten. THis is why most airlines now use the upstairs for First Class so this forward section can be devoted to oversize toilets/bathrooms.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1390
Suspect it also comes down to ease/cost of reconfiguration - would think moving bathrooms isn't cheap.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 184
There is presently one lounge in the nose of the A380 to the right of the staircase from business class down to first. There will now be two lounges, one each on either side of the staircase. How's your maths?
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1004
It's one lounge. They are just expanding it and moving the CSMs "office" somewhere else.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 184
If I have one bedroom in my apartment and convert a sunroom into another bedroom, or wall up the patio and make this into a bedroom, would you say I still have just one bedroom? No, I would have two bedrooms. Two different spaces. It doesn't matter that they have the same function, it matters that they are physically different spaces.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 35
But it isn’t walled up, hence one space
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 184
It's divided by two walls and a massive wide staircase!
19 Jul 2018
Total posts 5
My experience on A380s with a similar lounge configuration - such as Asiana - find the space a little dark and oppressive and rarely used. Maybe Qantas has some solution but it’s a tough ask. The only airline to turn the odd space into something spectacular is Etihad by using it for The Apartment. That said, it was Etihad’s last hurrah.
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 448
What does the CSM do in their onboard office anyway? Fortnightly payroll? Performance reviews?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1243
Best comment lol
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Oct 2017
Total posts 6
Comment of the week :)
21 Jan 2012
Total posts 1
Gold
15 Aug 2018
Total posts 8
The new design still does not look as passenger friendly and as comfortable as the famous bar on the Emirates A380.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 184
That's probably because the Emirates bar is so much bigger and more open because it's in a completely different part of the A380, it's down the back where there is plenty of room, while Qantas is trying to make best use of two small areas which are an unavoidable result of A380's design. In other words, apples and oranges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Sep 2011
Total posts 14
The EK bar has nothing on the QR bar, that is magnificent!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 1
This is typical Qantas not looking far enough ahead and being too conservative. If travelling alone I would rather stay in my seat than almost certainly be facing a stranger. Qantas underperformed 10 years ago in the business seat offering for the A380 and are doing so again with this cafe/meeting booth idea. I would rather stretch my legs and prop up a bar any day. EK really have it sorted if you're travelling alone or with someone, as you can use the bar leaners at each side, stand at the bar or sit one of two couches. The drinks offering is impressive, good quality snacks are available and the crew friendly if you're feeling chatty.
30 Oct 2017
Total posts 5
Seriously? Why would or should you want to leave your super expensive seat/bed/dining area with inaminute personal service to go and use this space? If any airline really wanted to stand ahead from the rest....put a stand up bar area in ECONOMY.... the that's where the leg stretch is needed! Or like train carriages....have a central area for ALL to go for a bit of a stand and 'have a chat'....
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 81
Current ‘retreats’ on the A380 feel like a dentists’ waiting room and barely worth the walk to stretch one’s legs. Any improvement will be worthwhile, even better with a FA serving drinks with a smile?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 150
Looks dismal really, like a 50’s cafe banquette seat and table affair minus the wall mounted jukebox device.
12 Aug 2017
Total posts 77
I'm looking forward to the refit. I travel to the UK frequently as a solo so at the moment I avoid QF but will certainly use them if they have decent business class seats.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 104
They might be having better seats in two years, but the competition will still have better service and lower prices.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas Airbus A380s to get two inflight business class lounges