Qantas Airbus A380s to get two inflight business class lounges
By David Flynn, August 23 2018
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...
Concept art for the current Qantas A380 business class lounge (note the fish tank in the bulkhead!)
Marc Newson / Qantas
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.
A concept sketch for the new-look Qantas A380 business class lounge
David Caon / Qantas
David Caon / Qantas
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.
Read more: Qantas' first class facelift for the Airbus A380
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.
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They may close rear UD doors since they're not needed seating under 500 pax, reduced cabin crew too?
Never used flight bars'though sometimes chat to crew in catering - are they used on EK and QR?
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To Alex’s point, if you don’t do the bar properly then you only suffer by comparison.
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I actually think it's a decent space for a lounge and will be much bigger in this new config. Once airborne you don't really need windows (although guess they could have tried virtual windows like EK has in its new centre suites)
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But it isn’t walled up, hence one space
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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.
Business people can have their meetings in the lounge before take off (I've never seen anyone use the two business lounges in the Sydney First Class lounge, since it opened) or on a couch at the bar, or sit together and put the screen down.
Pilates and exercise areas be damned. Thinking outside the square, the current lounge could easily be converted into a "Residence" style super first class, or, have three or four zero gravity massage chairs - you could book a 20 - 30 minute slot as you do the shower in EK First Class.
Or how about "book a table" so couples or more could have their meal together. There must be room for say, 8 x two seater tables, two of which could be pushed together for foursomes. Yes, I know, it would take some planning and for safety in the seat and table design, but it's doable. Two sittings per meal - sounds like something I would enjoy if I was travelling with someone.
Come on Qantas - scratch your head for a lot longer before announcing something this dull and come up with something more creative and appealing. Something that sets you apart.
So, thanks, but no thanks, for what is essentially a sofa and a small table with a fridge and a large screen (who gets to pick what's showing?). It just doesn't push any buttons for me at all.
Drink, anyone??
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