Qantas A380 First Class from Dubai to London (+ Youtube clip)
Dec 30, 2016, 4:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Heart of Europe
Programs: SPG Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Executive, LH Frequent Flyer
Posts: 240
Qantas A380 First Class from Dubai to London (+ Youtube clip)
On November 1st 2016, I flew First Class in an Airbus A380 of Qantas from Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in the UK. This was the last leg of my Seychelles holiday (the flight from Mahe to Dubai was on an Emirates B777). Qantas – the flag carrier of Australia – is one of the airlines that I admire the most. Although I am not sure where my fascination with the airline comes from, it probably has to do with the fact that has a reputation for being the safest airline in the world (and I am a nervous flyer, hence the reasons why I started making clips when I need to fly).
I made a Youtube clip of my experience, which you can watch here:
I will also upload some photos below.
1. PRICE OF THE TICKET
I booked this journey using 62,500 AAdvantage miles, which is the number of miles needed for a one-way First Class ticket between the Middle East and Europe. In addition, I had to pay $98 USD for taxes and carrier imposed fees.
2. EMIRATES FIRST CLASS LOUNGE AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Qantas does not have its own lounge at Dubai International Airport, but that’s not bad news since its premium passengers have access to the excellent lounges of its partner Emirates at Terminal 3.
The Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai is an amazing space. In fact, it’s more of an ultra-luxe concourse floating above the terminal’s ground floor than a defined space like you find in other First Class lounges around the world. The lounge is enormous and offers direct access to most gates with multi-level boarding. Immediately after you enter the lounge, you find yourself in a gallery lined by high-end, duty-free boutique shops, including brands such as Tom Ford and Chanel. From there, two walkways run along both sides of the lounge, offering nice views of the terminal’s groundfloor in between, and with plenty of seating corners along the way, most of them centered around the gates. At the opposite side of the lounge, the two walkways converge into the main seating area, which features a gorgeous chandelier.
Every seating area in the First Class lounge comes with its own food corner, with food varying from light snacks, sandwiches and sushi, to desserts, coffee tables and cheese. The main restaurant is located halfway the lounge, and offers both a la carte dining and an extensive buffet. The restaurant ambience does not feel very cozy or upscale (due to the terminal’s incredibly high ceilings), although the open kitchen creates a sense of intimacy. During my visit (early morning time), an impressive breakfast buffet was diplayed. Unfortunately, I did not have time to try out the a la carte breakfast.
3. FIRST CLASS CABIN
The Qantas A380 has 484 seats in total: 14 First Class, 64 Business Class, 35 Premium Economy Class, and 371 Economy Class seats, spread over the two decks.
The First Class cabin is located on the plane’s forward lower deck, immediately behind the cockpit. Upon entering the plane, First Class passengers are escorted by a member of the cabin crew to their seat. The airy cabin features 14 open suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, all of them having direct aisle access of course. There are 10 window seats (5 on each side) and 4 seats in the center of the cabin. Although they are not fully enclosed, all suites have high seat walls and enjoy total privacy, as none of the rows quite line up and the suites are angled towards the windows, so nobody is directly looking into the suite across the aisle. In addition, dividers can be raised for extra privacy.
4. FIRST CLASS SEAT (& WHAT SEAT TO CHOOSE)
I had chosen window seat 4K for the flight. However, to call it a ‘seat’ is a misnomer, since it’s more of a very spacious suite.
During takeoff and landing, the seat – which is located at some distance from the window – faces forward, but during cruise, the seat can be swiveled around to line up with the ottoman (and form a flat-bed). Besides the seat – at eye-level – is a small touch screen that controls all of the seat and suite functions, such as the programmable seat positions, the massage function, the suite’s lighting, privacy screens, and dual layer window shades. Below that screen is the remote control for the entertainment system. In front of the seat is a small fold-out table, which can be used for drinks and small plates so that you don’t have to take out the enormous tray table. The latter can be folded in half and is hiding in the seat’s side cabinet, which also holds two drawers for storing smaller personal items, such as glasses and mobile phones. The noise-cancelling headphones are located in one of these drawers.
The leather ottoman can be used as an extension of the flat-bed, as well as an extra seat to host a companion for dinner in the suite. For that particular reason, it also comes with its own seat belt, so that your guest can remain seated during an episode of turbulence. Above the ottoman is the entertainment screen. There’s no seat wall behind the monitor (not sure why), although a screen can be raised here for complete privacy.
What are the best First Class seats on Qantas’ Airbus A380?
- The middle seats and right-sided window seats share the same aisle, so I would suggest choosing a seat on the plane’s left side (row A) for more privacy and overhead bin storage space.
What are the worst First Class seats on Qantas’ Airbus A380?
- Passengers seated in the first row may be bothered by noise from the lavatories.
- Passengers seated in the last row (row 5) may be bothered by noise from the galley and the more crowded Economy Class cabin behind them.
5. FOOD
While food was very good, I was not overly impressed with the tastes nor presentation of the onboard meals that are created by Neil Perry. I did like it a lot though that you could order whatever you wanted from the menu at any time you wished. The menu read as follows:
- Canapés: caviar tartlet with crème fraîche + sesame lavish with labne, carrot and dill.
- Spicy lentil soup with herbed crème fraîche.
- Small plate: Qantas signature steak sandwich with tomato and chilli relish.
- Main plate: Rockpool Bar & Grill style lamb rack with rosemary potatoes, peas and mustard.
- Dessert: fresh fruit.
Before landing, I was hungry again (despite this being only a 7.30 hour flight) so I ordered the seared hamour with tamarind chickpeas, cauliflower, and coriander (which was not exactly my cup of cake).
6. CREW
This was by far the most friendly and amazing crew I ever encountered during all my years of flying. While I was taking some photos of the seat during boarding, the captain passed by and invited me to the cockpit for a quick tour (what a treat!). The cabin crew was extraordinary, as they almost made me forget I was flying (although I am a nervous flyer), and genuinely talked about how they loved working for Qantas. This particular crew was based in London, and the cabin director was – like me – a Belgian.
I made a Youtube clip of my experience, which you can watch here:
I will also upload some photos below.
1. PRICE OF THE TICKET
I booked this journey using 62,500 AAdvantage miles, which is the number of miles needed for a one-way First Class ticket between the Middle East and Europe. In addition, I had to pay $98 USD for taxes and carrier imposed fees.
2. EMIRATES FIRST CLASS LOUNGE AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Qantas does not have its own lounge at Dubai International Airport, but that’s not bad news since its premium passengers have access to the excellent lounges of its partner Emirates at Terminal 3.
The Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai is an amazing space. In fact, it’s more of an ultra-luxe concourse floating above the terminal’s ground floor than a defined space like you find in other First Class lounges around the world. The lounge is enormous and offers direct access to most gates with multi-level boarding. Immediately after you enter the lounge, you find yourself in a gallery lined by high-end, duty-free boutique shops, including brands such as Tom Ford and Chanel. From there, two walkways run along both sides of the lounge, offering nice views of the terminal’s groundfloor in between, and with plenty of seating corners along the way, most of them centered around the gates. At the opposite side of the lounge, the two walkways converge into the main seating area, which features a gorgeous chandelier.
Every seating area in the First Class lounge comes with its own food corner, with food varying from light snacks, sandwiches and sushi, to desserts, coffee tables and cheese. The main restaurant is located halfway the lounge, and offers both a la carte dining and an extensive buffet. The restaurant ambience does not feel very cozy or upscale (due to the terminal’s incredibly high ceilings), although the open kitchen creates a sense of intimacy. During my visit (early morning time), an impressive breakfast buffet was diplayed. Unfortunately, I did not have time to try out the a la carte breakfast.
3. FIRST CLASS CABIN
The Qantas A380 has 484 seats in total: 14 First Class, 64 Business Class, 35 Premium Economy Class, and 371 Economy Class seats, spread over the two decks.
The First Class cabin is located on the plane’s forward lower deck, immediately behind the cockpit. Upon entering the plane, First Class passengers are escorted by a member of the cabin crew to their seat. The airy cabin features 14 open suites in a 1-1-1 configuration, all of them having direct aisle access of course. There are 10 window seats (5 on each side) and 4 seats in the center of the cabin. Although they are not fully enclosed, all suites have high seat walls and enjoy total privacy, as none of the rows quite line up and the suites are angled towards the windows, so nobody is directly looking into the suite across the aisle. In addition, dividers can be raised for extra privacy.
4. FIRST CLASS SEAT (& WHAT SEAT TO CHOOSE)
I had chosen window seat 4K for the flight. However, to call it a ‘seat’ is a misnomer, since it’s more of a very spacious suite.
During takeoff and landing, the seat – which is located at some distance from the window – faces forward, but during cruise, the seat can be swiveled around to line up with the ottoman (and form a flat-bed). Besides the seat – at eye-level – is a small touch screen that controls all of the seat and suite functions, such as the programmable seat positions, the massage function, the suite’s lighting, privacy screens, and dual layer window shades. Below that screen is the remote control for the entertainment system. In front of the seat is a small fold-out table, which can be used for drinks and small plates so that you don’t have to take out the enormous tray table. The latter can be folded in half and is hiding in the seat’s side cabinet, which also holds two drawers for storing smaller personal items, such as glasses and mobile phones. The noise-cancelling headphones are located in one of these drawers.
The leather ottoman can be used as an extension of the flat-bed, as well as an extra seat to host a companion for dinner in the suite. For that particular reason, it also comes with its own seat belt, so that your guest can remain seated during an episode of turbulence. Above the ottoman is the entertainment screen. There’s no seat wall behind the monitor (not sure why), although a screen can be raised here for complete privacy.
What are the best First Class seats on Qantas’ Airbus A380?
- The middle seats and right-sided window seats share the same aisle, so I would suggest choosing a seat on the plane’s left side (row A) for more privacy and overhead bin storage space.
What are the worst First Class seats on Qantas’ Airbus A380?
- Passengers seated in the first row may be bothered by noise from the lavatories.
- Passengers seated in the last row (row 5) may be bothered by noise from the galley and the more crowded Economy Class cabin behind them.
5. FOOD
While food was very good, I was not overly impressed with the tastes nor presentation of the onboard meals that are created by Neil Perry. I did like it a lot though that you could order whatever you wanted from the menu at any time you wished. The menu read as follows:
- Canapés: caviar tartlet with crème fraîche + sesame lavish with labne, carrot and dill.
- Spicy lentil soup with herbed crème fraîche.
- Small plate: Qantas signature steak sandwich with tomato and chilli relish.
- Main plate: Rockpool Bar & Grill style lamb rack with rosemary potatoes, peas and mustard.
- Dessert: fresh fruit.
Before landing, I was hungry again (despite this being only a 7.30 hour flight) so I ordered the seared hamour with tamarind chickpeas, cauliflower, and coriander (which was not exactly my cup of cake).
6. CREW
This was by far the most friendly and amazing crew I ever encountered during all my years of flying. While I was taking some photos of the seat during boarding, the captain passed by and invited me to the cockpit for a quick tour (what a treat!). The cabin crew was extraordinary, as they almost made me forget I was flying (although I am a nervous flyer), and genuinely talked about how they loved working for Qantas. This particular crew was based in London, and the cabin director was – like me – a Belgian.
Dec 31, 2016, 9:03 am
#7
formerly southsidesilver
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
Programs: BA Gold, UA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 996
Does QF provide chauffeur drive arrival service in London upon arrival using AA award tickets?
Jan 1, 2017, 4:24 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: British Airways GCH
Posts: 75
Lovely report thanks very much for posting. I love the QF first service, I've always loved the easy going warmth and professionalism of the crew. The seats don't look as flashy as many but are very comfortable and the bedding is superb (best sleep by miles for me).
Now a question that I'm not sure if anyone can help with. In the cockpit picture the copilot has his left hand holding a plastic bump. What is it? There is a similar one on the pilots side, is it just a handhold?
Again thanks for the effort of making this lovely report
Now a question that I'm not sure if anyone can help with. In the cockpit picture the copilot has his left hand holding a plastic bump. What is it? There is a similar one on the pilots side, is it just a handhold?
Again thanks for the effort of making this lovely report
Jan 1, 2017, 7:40 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: GRR
Posts: 544
Another nice report with awesome pics! Your review is spot-on. We flew this route in August on QF1 so with the 02:20 departure time coupled with the Emirates lounges food and beverage offerings didn't partake in the onboard dining except for a light breakfast.
Was in 1K and 2K and agree the other side of F would have been better for the reasons you stated, however didn't notice any noise from the lav. Also had an outstanding London based crew. Thanks for the report and the memories!
Was in 1K and 2K and agree the other side of F would have been better for the reasons you stated, however didn't notice any noise from the lav. Also had an outstanding London based crew. Thanks for the report and the memories!
Jan 1, 2017, 5:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
It's a trackball. It is used to control the cursor on the information screens. It works just like an upside down mouse.
