Qantas A380 Overhaul:
New Cabins, Routes & What Flyers Can Expect

Qantas is investing $500 million to refurbish its Airbus A380 fleet, bringing next-generation luxury to the iconic double-decker. From revamped First Class suites to premium economy upgrades, here’s everything you need to know about the flying kangaroo’s mega-project.

In this exclusive report, we cover:
✅ First official renders of the new cabins
✅ Which routes will get refurbished A380s first
✅ How the new First Class compares to Emirates
✅ Mileage redemption strategies for the best seats

The Qantas A380 Refurbishment: Key Upgrades

1. First Class (Top Deck)

  • New fully enclosed suites with sliding doors
  • 24-inch 4K touchscreens (up from 17")
  • Wireless charging + Bluetooth connectivity
  • Larger storage & improved privacy

Comparison: Still lags behind Emirates’ showers but now beats Singapore Airlines’ 2017 suites.

2. Business Class (Upper Deck)

  • Same seats but new upholstery & dividers
  • 18-inch HD screens (up from 12")
  • USB-C ports at every seat

3. Premium Economy (Main Deck)

  • New recliners with 42" pitch (vs. 38" previously)
  • 13.3" touchscreens with noise-canceling headsets

4. Economy (Main Deck)

  • Thinner seats = extra legroom
  • 12-inch HD screens (up from 9")

Route Rollout: Where to Fly First

The first refurbished A380 (VH-OQB) enters service in November 2024 on:
✈ Sydney (SYD) → Los Angeles (LAX) – QF11/12 (daily)
✈ Melbourne (MEL) → Dubai (DXB) – QF9/10 (from Dec 2024)

2025 Expansion:

  • London (LHR) via Singapore
  • Dallas (DFW)
  • Johannesburg (JNB)

Pro Tip: Use ExpertFlyer to track which aircraft is assigned to your flight.

New First Class vs. Emirates: How They Stack Up

FeatureQantas A380 (2024)Emirates A380Privacy | Sliding doors | Curtains
Bed Length | 83" | 86"
Entertainment | 24" | 32"
Shower | No | Yes
Suite Count | 14 | 14

Best For:

  • Qantas = Australian loyalty program members
  • Emirates = Those wanting showers & more glitz

How to Book the Refurbished A380

Cash Tickets

  • First Class: ~$18,000 AUD return (SYD-LAX)
  • Business Class: ~$8,000 AUD return

Using Qantas Points

  • First Class: 162,000 points + $800 SYD-LAX
  • Business Class: 108,000 points + $600

Sweet Spot: Book MEL-DXB for 20% fewer points than SYD routes.

3 Reasons to Book Early

  1. Limited Availability – Only 6 A380s refurbished in 2024
  2. Potential Devaluation – Qantas may raise award costs post-launch
  3. High Demand – Expect waitlists for First Class awards

The Bottom Line

While not quite reaching Emirates’ level of opulence, Qantas’ A380 overhaul finally brings its flagship into the modern era. The new First Class suites should appeal to privacy-focused flyers, while premium economy gets its long-overdue upgrade.

Would you choose Qantas or Emirates A380 First Class?
✅ Qantas – better for points redemptions!
❌ Emirates – showers win every time

Launch Alert: Track availability at Qantas’ official site or American AAdvantage (better award space).

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