Arriving in the best shape possible after a long-haul flight is always my aim and I have long known that flying at the pointy end of the plane would be the best chance of that. So recently it was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to fly in business class on the Qantas Airbus A380 from Los Angeles to Sydney. The best bit, I managed to snag my business class seat by bidding on an upgrade on my way to the airport. It was the best feeling in the world to see that my bid was successful and to start my journey in the business class lounge at Los Angeles Airport before being shown to my ultra-comfortable business class seat for the 15 hour flight to Australia.
Qantas Airbus A380 business class review
There are many benefits that come from being seated in business class, including an extensive food and beverage menu, a smaller cabin therefore fewer passengers and extra attention from flight attendants. But for me, the greatest joy is the space and comfort the business class seats offer. In fact, they are not known as business class seats but business class suites, which I think is appropriate with the amenities and privacy the space offers.
Business class on the Qantas A380 consists of 70 business class seats on the upper deck of the aircraft with the suites arranged in a configuration of one window suite on either side of the aircraft and two suites in the middle of the aircraft. Even though the majority of my flight was overnight, I was happy to have a window seat, and it was even better not to have a random stranger to jostle with over armrest territory. There is no need for such behaviour when you have a suite all to yourself.
The Qantas A380 business class suite offers a seat which converts to a fully flat bed, a 16 inch screen which can be operated by touch-screen or with remote control, high-powered USB charging and plenty of storage (particularly on the window seat).
I am a gal that travels with lots of extra carry on bits and pieces that I like to have access to during a flight so I was pleased to find two sizeable storage lockers located beside my window seat. I could put everything in the lockers which kept the area around my seat and feet clear. Anything I needed was still handy but my suite remained clutter-free thanks to the storage available.
Qantas pyjamas are offered to business class passengers in various sizes before take-off and I was quick to change my travel clothes for a bit of unrestricted comfort. It also meant if I managed to slop any food or drinks on myself during the flight my clothes remained clean and ready for landing.
A 100% cotton duvet & mattress cover, pillow and blanket completed my nighttime set-up and all that was left was to do was to have a quick meal and settle down for the night.
A range of seat settings kept this Goldilocks busy for a while until I found the one that was “just right” but I absolutely loved having such a range of options and the comfort of the seat was next level. The massage function took me a minute to get used to but it was a nice added extra.
I love that all the business class seats have direct aisle-access so there’s no need to time a bathroom run for when your neighbour is awake and there’s no clambering over a pesky seat buddy that refuses to stand up to let you out.
When watching television I was comfortable with my feet outstretched and resting on the footrest. Tall passengers will certainly benefit from the ample space to stretch out. I am 167cm in height (65.7 inches) and I had plenty of room to spare.
I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that when you are stretching out you should also have compression socks on and if you are wondering why I am so passionate about preventing DVT you should read this cautionary story I wrote about our friend that nearly lost his life from not wearing them.
Being able to lie flat to sleep on a flight, particularly a night time flight, is a game-changer. It cannot be underestimated the difference it makes having the space to lie down, turn over and not have your neck hang on your chest and wake with a terrible crick in your neck.
I was cosy, comfortable and content for the hours that I slept. Our flight was smooth so I was able to sleep soundly for a good chunk of the night.
Qantas A380 business class food & beverage service
Although the ability to lie-flat was the main attraction of business class for me, I’m not going to lie, the elevated food and beverage service was a nice side benefit. I was so tired and the seat was so comfy as a bed I probably didn’t make the most of it but what I did partake in was excellent.
Once seated on the aircraft flight attendants offered a drink before take-off. As I’d already celebrated with a glass of bubbly in the lounge in New York and then again in Los Angeles, I decided on an orange juice while I perused the dinner menu. A late night flight from Los Angeles meant that I’d already had a snack in the business class lounge but I certainly wasn’t missing out on taste testing the business class menu. Flight crew were efficient in taking dinner orders as soon as the seatbelt signs had switched off after take-off. There’s no clunky food trolley being dragging up the aisle in business class. Individual orders are taken to the galley and food is delivered on a tray to each passenger.
I settled on the seared beef fillet with potato puree, asparagus and red wine jus. The beef was a little tough but it was certainly a step up from economy class fare and all the accompaniments were just right.
Other options on the menu included a soup, tofu laksa, gremolata crumbed halibut, turmeric grilled chicken breast and a green leaf salad.
The sweet conclusion to the meal included options including berry trifle, seasonal fruit, ice cream and chocolates.
After a good few hours sleep I woke up a little peckish so decided to order some chips and a glass of bubbly because why not continue to celebrate the business class suite. For those with more of an appetite the mid-flight menu also offered a chicken schnitzel sandwich, seasonal fruit, chocolate chip cookie, a nut selection and chocolate bars.
Before settling down for the evening, flight attendants distributed breakfast order cards similar to those hotels often have in the room which allows passengers to customise their breakfast order. I chose eggs with bacon, spinach and mushrooms, fruit, tea and a juice. Everything was delicious but I left my bacon as it was quite fatty and greasy. In retrospect I should have asked to remove it from the order as I’m not that big a fan anyway. After seeing a fellow passenger tuck into a delicious looking croissant I also asked for that and an additional cup of tea.
I always love having a sticky beak at the amenities kit but I must admit I rarely use it. The Qantas business class kit includes a toothbrush, ear plugs, socks and eye mask. Over head headphones are also provided but I didn’t use them as I travel with my own noise cancelling headphones.
Accessibility in the Qantas A380 business class cabin
Although all the seats in business class offer the same features and level of comfort it is important to note not all seats are created equal. I was asked to swap seats with a lady who was travelling post hip surgery as she was unable to get into the seat she was allocated. Some of the seats in business class have a tighter entry area which won’t make any difference to a traveller without a mobility restriction but will make it much more difficult for passengers with access needs. As always, I suggest contacting the Qantas special handling department before booking your flight to discuss any needs you have including seat allocation.
I sat in the last row of business class in seat 28K and the clearance to enter the suite is 27cm (about 10.7 inches)
The rows in front of me, and the seat I was originally allocated (27K), offers 54cm (about 21.2 inches) clearance with the armrest up and 107cm (42.1 inches) with the armrest lowered. This is the other fundamental difference, in seat 28K there is no armrest to lower and therefore a passenger unable to walk would be unable to slide across to use the aisle chair in this row. If you are a traveller with access needs it is vital to speak to the airline to ensure you have the best opportunity to get the seat that will make your journey more comfortable.
If you need assistance to get to the bathroom an aisle chair is available on the aircraft to assist with getting from seat to toilet. The footplate does not lift up out of the way though so it does create an awkward transfer for some.
Located between the business class cabin and the premium economy cabin is a row of toilets. One of these cubicles has the ability to be enlarged to allow for a passenger using the aisle chair to access the toilet by lining the aisle chair up alongside the toilet for transferring. The cubicle can be closed off like a regular toilet for privacy when in use.
It takes the crew a while to organise the setup of the bathroom space and to get the aisle chair so it is important to give a little bit of notice and to avoid asking during the meal service unless of course it is urgent. The crews on both my flights were incredibly kind, helpful and accommodating so I urge you to chat to them about your needs when you board the flight and give them a heads up if you are wanting to make use of the enlarge bathroom stall during the flight. Prior planning helps everyone.
For Australian travellers living with a disability, please remember that if you are unable to travel without the assistance of a companion, carer or family member, Qantas offers a discount of 10% (even on sale fares) on economy, premium economy and business class airfares for your companion. You can read more about the Qantas Carer Concession fare and how to get it in this review.
How to get a Qantas business class upgradeÂ
So many people have asked how I managed to get a Qantas business class upgrade. I think it was pure luck to be honest. I had booked a premium economy airfare and I was quite happy with that. I’d found it really comfortable on my outbound trip to the US. A few days before my flight back to Sydney I received an email offering me the chance to bid on a business class upgrade which I ignored. On my day of travel I was en route to the airport in New York and I received another offer to upgrade. This signalled to me that I might have a pretty good chance at an upgrade if the airline was still offering the opportunity of an upgrade on the day of travel. I decided I’d put in an offer. The lowest offer I could put into the system was $1090 (USD714). I thought it was probably a slim chance but it would be worth it for an overnight flight and knowing I’d hit the ground running when back home in Sydney.
Within a few hours I received an email to say my upgrade bid was successful. Given I would be crossing the dateline and I’d be in business class for my birthday was an added bonus. With my business class upgrade also came access to the One World Lounge at Los Angeles Airport which was another win as the lounge has a wonderful array of food and beverages.
Is business class worth it?
Business class is definitely worth it for the comfort it can provide especially if you can snag it with a points upgrade or by bidding for the privilege. For me, the regular price of business class is out of my travel budget but if you have the funds I’d say go for it.
If you’d like to compare Qantas business class with economy class, you may find the following review helpful –
Tips for air travel with a wheelchair
