While we won't see a mid-life refresh for Qantas' Airbus A380 until 2019, but Qantas is now upgrading the sleep service for first class flyers.
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The airline has partnered with Australian premium home and lifestyle brand Sheridan for a range of new bedding products for first class flights from early October 2017.
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The Sheridan bedding ensemble includes a memory foam mattress, sheeting, duvet cover, a 100% combed-cotton woven throw and a soft-touch bolster cushion.
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There's also a pillow menu: choose between the standard-issue lightweight Sheridan Ultimate Comfort Pillow, a Memory Foam Pillow or Feather & Down Pillow.
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Qantas boasts that the Sheridan bedding ensemble "has been crafted using natural, luxury materials in neutral and soft earthy tones to match the First class cabin interior."
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The Sheridan bedding kit will accompany the first class pyjamas and amenity kit created by Melbourne-born, Paris-based designer Martin Grant.
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Grant has given Qantas a bit of 'fashion forward' spin, working on not just first class PJs but new-look uniforms for the Qantas pilots and crew.
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Grant's prêt-à-porter PJs borrow subtle cues from the Qantas uniforms such as a dusky French navy, while the matching slippers incorporate a flash of 'Qantas red'.
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There's minimal difference between the male and female amenity kits, which both botanical ASPAR skincare products from Australian company Aurora Spa, including hand cream, lip moisturiser and facial moisturiser.
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But we're still not sure about the eye mask, which makes you look less 'first class flyer' and more 'cat burglar'...
Qantas first has equal-or-superior champagne to Etihad first (Bollinger La Grande Annee IIRC), let alone Etihad business. Much more space too. And pajamas, which Etihad Business no longer has.
I think the new bedding looks fantastic. And pillow menus are very welcome... memory foam pillow? sign me up! And the sleepwear looks excellent.
Sure, the amenity kit isn't the most decadent, and the food isn't "ultra hardcore caviar-and-foie-gras-with-truffles trying-to-be-French enema haute-cuisine" but the amenity kit is perfectly adequate and the food is still very nice. Sure, I'd like a bit of truffles-and-foie-gras on the menu (albeit I dislike caviar). But there's enough high-end champagne to more than drink your money's worth, great lounges, and lots of space (the ultimate luxury on an airplane).
Emirates First is great but it can feel a touch cramped. I don't really like the amenity kits either. And sure the food is great but the only "super-luxe" item on the EK First menu is caviar, which as I said isn't something I really like. Also, the food in the EK first lounges in Dubai? Sorry, the a la carte food there is surprisingly bland. And I've eaten at least six plates of a la carte there... when their "Korean beef ribs" have no discernible taste of chilli or garlic they're doing something very wrong.
I have flown in QF First on a number of occasions and the main difference for me is the cabin crew. On every flight, the crew were exemplary and could not be faulted. I have also flown with both Emirates and Etihad which was great I still prefer QANTAS
As I have said on these pages before, I feel EK is all bling and no substance and I certainly do feel cramped in their 1st cabin, Qantas first always makes me feel special, there's no fussiness of the middle east and Asian carriers that annoys me an I like the QF first cabin very much. You can put the mini-bar in and the gold touches but if you don't feel special then its pointless in my view.
A few months back, at the end of April, emirates ended their service SYD-AKL-SYD. That service was one I'd been using since 2007 every 3 to 4 weeks in business class. They were using their Emirates A380. Previously, I did the trip on QANTAS, mostly in their B747-300 and sometimes the 400. Then one day, the QANTAS plane I was due to travel on had a technical problem which cancelled the flight, so they put me on the Emirates A380. Emirates at that stage were not code-share partners, and had only just begun their Tasman services....AND HOW!!...a bar in the sky to meet people!....such a good business environment.
I then realised I had become 'rusted on' to QANTAS.
Now that it's all ended, QANTAS has stepped in to fill the gap. Here's a list of what has occurred:
QANTAS increased the prices of these sectors immediately after the change.
QANTAS’ in-flight service has becomes casual, somewhat arrogant.
QANTAS’ business lounge is no match for Emirates lounge in the food and wifi departments…especially so when comparing the lounges available in Auckland.
QANTAS’ ‘lay-flat’ beds aren’t lay-flat.
QANTAS’ seating layout doesn’t offer aisle access in all business seats (something I run into on my QF7 and 8 flights).
QANTAS aircraft are grey and dull..they are coloured a bit like the inside of a sub-marine. Why don’t they use colours reflective of our colourful land?
QANTAS aircraft don’t fully darken their cabins during sleep times…they have a lit ‘no smoking’ sign that all other airlines I fly got rid of years ago.
A330 planes are good, but not as roomy, comfortable or quiet as A380.
QANTAS’ B737 business class surely must be an industry joke.
...and QANTAS doesn't allow the use of Emirates expiring miles, and won't give tier bonuses.
I really wonder where the real benefit of code-sharing and frequent flyer points accumulation is.
...time to try a different tack.... Air New Zealand..?...tell me, someone!
Well, with Air New Zealand based on everything you've said you'll need to make sure you catch a 777 or 787 because only they have business. Then you'll want to be less than 6' tall because otherwise your feet stick out into the aisle. Then you'll want to be narrow because their seats are.
A Qantas A330 is a better choice.
Thanks aggie...actually I have now booked the QANTAS A330 for next Monday's jaunt across the ditch, and I'm returning on the Air New Zealand B787-9...will let you know how things go :)
I'm all with Tempus and Crosscourt, qantas service is exemplary. I'm not a bling guy but a crew member who remembers my name on the air bridge before she's seen my boarding pass is gold. Is that's what rusted on means, I'm ok with that.
private pilot you are so right well said i agree with your comments.
Just like the opening line to the article While we won't see a mid-life refresh for Qantas' Airbus A380 until 2019" they are so far behind everyone else 2019 what they bring in as new will be outdated by then and as some of our fellow writers have said Qantas First is like the EK SIA new business class that is actually now 2017
thanks Bonzer!...actually, I have been talking to fellow pilots and have learned that the Emirates flights SYD-AKL-SYD are in negotiation for return. Don't know when at this stage, apparently there were aspects of the code-share arrangement that QANTAS wanted rectified (read people were FLOODING from QANTAS to Emirates A380, probably!)
You may be right that EK flights to AKL might return. I certainly hope so as I was 'rusted' on to A380 on a QF ticket in the cheap seats (with the occasional EK out of the blue upgrade to J - this happened once there AND back - try dreaming of that on QF!). I thought the reason AKL might have been dropped by EK was due to flight starting to come via BKK (and possible knock on delays). However in AKL last time I was over I was told by lounge staff that they now have direct AKL-DXB flight. I know cheap Kiwis always flooded the EK A380 to AKL, with 500+ seats to fill every day. But J does pay for the rest of the plane, and I wonder whether AKL-DXB will have enough to pay for it.
And yes I have flown F on EK to AKL once, for the 120SCs as it was virtually same as J, 2 times Y. Not very impressed with the food and the cabin service from the EK identikit FA pool which will never match the QF old hands in premium classes. Did get to try the Paradis cognac however on EK, allegedly the most expensive alcoholic beverage on any flight at $600 a bottle.
My only other F experience was on CX from Zurich to HKG on an award flight. Best sleep ever on a plane, just not long enough at 11 hour sector. And wonderful PJs I am still wearing. Nice food and wine and personal service as only 1 other pax in F. Would happily do that again (only on an award of course).
QF First Class. Definitely not worth the money and is comparable to SQ J Class. if you want true First Class - Air France, Lufthansa and Qatar are the ways to go. We all have our preference I know, but given space, privacy , intimacy and service in the cabin setting, these three are hard to beat. QF would do better to scrub their F class and settle for their once again substandard business product. How they survive, I do not know!
We mere mortals can only dream of flying in F frequently, happy for QF or anyone else for that matter to sit me up the front...!!! In reality the F product is actually good, where else can you have a steak sandwich and knock it back with a bottle of RWT, after the Tattinger '02 of course...with warmed olives etc.
QANTAS - can you please make the PJs to fit 'short fat' people, we're not all male models anymore... :)
Very unhappy with the downgrading of QF First....the new amenities are awful. Very clear intent to cost cut. Food was poor, sleeper suits looked second hand and seats are well past prime condition. Won’t be buying a F ticket again, very disappointed.
Totally agree with those who are not fans of the Claustrophobia Box Suites as well as those who appreciate the excellent QF cabin crew. Naturally friendly and cheerfully friendly as opposed to the programmed robots on other carriers. Just hope the mid term A380 upgrades does not squeeze space in all classes.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas' new Airbus A380 first class sleep service
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While we won't see a mid-life refresh for Qantas' Airbus A380 until 2019, but Qantas is now upgrading the sleep service for first class flyers.
03 May 2013
Total posts 677
Qantas..it's first class...the lavs and amenity kits, food don't cut it. Why spend on one area and not all....consistency is key!
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 37
From the photos, Qantas' A380 First Class resembles pleasant Business Class on other carriers. Not very private.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
I don’t like being stuffed into tiny room like EK I think the QF first is a very good product even 10 years on.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jan 2017
Total posts 10
Qantas First is great for space,not that private,but food is very average compared to Emirates and Singapore
13 Sep 2017
Total posts 1
Qantas first class looks like Etihad business class. Not worth the extra $ when you can get the same for less elsewhere.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Qantas first has equal-or-superior champagne to Etihad first (Bollinger La Grande Annee IIRC), let alone Etihad business. Much more space too. And pajamas, which Etihad Business no longer has.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
I think the new bedding looks fantastic. And pillow menus are very welcome... memory foam pillow? sign me up! And the sleepwear looks excellent. Sure, the amenity kit isn't the most decadent, and the food isn't "ultra hardcore caviar-and-foie-gras-with-truffles trying-to-be-French enema haute-cuisine" but the amenity kit is perfectly adequate and the food is still very nice. Sure, I'd like a bit of truffles-and-foie-gras on the menu (albeit I dislike caviar). But there's enough high-end champagne to more than drink your money's worth, great lounges, and lots of space (the ultimate luxury on an airplane). Emirates First is great but it can feel a touch cramped. I don't really like the amenity kits either. And sure the food is great but the only "super-luxe" item on the EK First menu is caviar, which as I said isn't something I really like. Also, the food in the EK first lounges in Dubai? Sorry, the a la carte food there is surprisingly bland. And I've eaten at least six plates of a la carte there... when their "Korean beef ribs" have no discernible taste of chilli or garlic they're doing something very wrong.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Sep 2017
Total posts 1
I have flown in QF First on a number of occasions and the main difference for me is the cabin crew. On every flight, the crew were exemplary and could not be faulted. I have also flown with both Emirates and Etihad which was great I still prefer QANTAS
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 416
As I have said on these pages before, I feel EK is all bling and no substance and I certainly do feel cramped in their 1st cabin, Qantas first always makes me feel special, there's no fussiness of the middle east and Asian carriers that annoys me an I like the QF first cabin very much. You can put the mini-bar in and the gold touches but if you don't feel special then its pointless in my view.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jul 2015
Total posts 10
Deodorant is the most under-rated item in the amenity kit. So many airlines omit it these days.
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
A few months back, at the end of April, emirates ended their service SYD-AKL-SYD. That service was one I'd been using since 2007 every 3 to 4 weeks in business class. They were using their Emirates A380. Previously, I did the trip on QANTAS, mostly in their B747-300 and sometimes the 400. Then one day, the QANTAS plane I was due to travel on had a technical problem which cancelled the flight, so they put me on the Emirates A380. Emirates at that stage were not code-share partners, and had only just begun their Tasman services....AND HOW!!...a bar in the sky to meet people!....such a good business environment. I then realised I had become 'rusted on' to QANTAS. Now that it's all ended, QANTAS has stepped in to fill the gap. Here's a list of what has occurred: QANTAS increased the prices of these sectors immediately after the change. QANTAS’ in-flight service has becomes casual, somewhat arrogant. QANTAS’ business lounge is no match for Emirates lounge in the food and wifi departments…especially so when comparing the lounges available in Auckland. QANTAS’ ‘lay-flat’ beds aren’t lay-flat. QANTAS’ seating layout doesn’t offer aisle access in all business seats (something I run into on my QF7 and 8 flights). QANTAS aircraft are grey and dull..they are coloured a bit like the inside of a sub-marine. Why don’t they use colours reflective of our colourful land? QANTAS aircraft don’t fully darken their cabins during sleep times…they have a lit ‘no smoking’ sign that all other airlines I fly got rid of years ago. A330 planes are good, but not as roomy, comfortable or quiet as A380. QANTAS’ B737 business class surely must be an industry joke. ...and QANTAS doesn't allow the use of Emirates expiring miles, and won't give tier bonuses. I really wonder where the real benefit of code-sharing and frequent flyer points accumulation is. ...time to try a different tack.... Air New Zealand..?...tell me, someone!
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 209
Well, with Air New Zealand based on everything you've said you'll need to make sure you catch a 777 or 787 because only they have business. Then you'll want to be less than 6' tall because otherwise your feet stick out into the aisle. Then you'll want to be narrow because their seats are. A Qantas A330 is a better choice.
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
Thanks aggie...actually I have now booked the QANTAS A330 for next Monday's jaunt across the ditch, and I'm returning on the Air New Zealand B787-9...will let you know how things go :)
08 Aug 2017
Total posts 42
I'm all with Tempus and Crosscourt, qantas service is exemplary. I'm not a bling guy but a crew member who remembers my name on the air bridge before she's seen my boarding pass is gold. Is that's what rusted on means, I'm ok with that.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
03 Jul 2017
Total posts 17
private pilot you are so right well said i agree with your comments. Just like the opening line to the article While we won't see a mid-life refresh for Qantas' Airbus A380 until 2019" they are so far behind everyone else 2019 what they bring in as new will be outdated by then and as some of our fellow writers have said Qantas First is like the EK SIA new business class that is actually now 2017
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
thanks Bonzer!...actually, I have been talking to fellow pilots and have learned that the Emirates flights SYD-AKL-SYD are in negotiation for return. Don't know when at this stage, apparently there were aspects of the code-share arrangement that QANTAS wanted rectified (read people were FLOODING from QANTAS to Emirates A380, probably!)
QFF
16 Nov 2014
Total posts 15
You may be right that EK flights to AKL might return. I certainly hope so as I was 'rusted' on to A380 on a QF ticket in the cheap seats (with the occasional EK out of the blue upgrade to J - this happened once there AND back - try dreaming of that on QF!). I thought the reason AKL might have been dropped by EK was due to flight starting to come via BKK (and possible knock on delays). However in AKL last time I was over I was told by lounge staff that they now have direct AKL-DXB flight. I know cheap Kiwis always flooded the EK A380 to AKL, with 500+ seats to fill every day. But J does pay for the rest of the plane, and I wonder whether AKL-DXB will have enough to pay for it. And yes I have flown F on EK to AKL once, for the 120SCs as it was virtually same as J, 2 times Y. Not very impressed with the food and the cabin service from the EK identikit FA pool which will never match the QF old hands in premium classes. Did get to try the Paradis cognac however on EK, allegedly the most expensive alcoholic beverage on any flight at $600 a bottle. My only other F experience was on CX from Zurich to HKG on an award flight. Best sleep ever on a plane, just not long enough at 11 hour sector. And wonderful PJs I am still wearing. Nice food and wine and personal service as only 1 other pax in F. Would happily do that again (only on an award of course).
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 182
QF First Class. Definitely not worth the money and is comparable to SQ J Class. if you want true First Class - Air France, Lufthansa and Qatar are the ways to go. We all have our preference I know, but given space, privacy , intimacy and service in the cabin setting, these three are hard to beat. QF would do better to scrub their F class and settle for their once again substandard business product. How they survive, I do not know!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
31 Mar 2017
Total posts 1
What happens if your name isn't Martin Grant ? LOL :)
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
LOL...eggsactly..!!...my name isn't Martin Grant, and neither is it any other brand that QANTAS is trying to push...so I don't use those amenities :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Jan 2016
Total posts 89
We mere mortals can only dream of flying in F frequently, happy for QF or anyone else for that matter to sit me up the front...!!! In reality the F product is actually good, where else can you have a steak sandwich and knock it back with a bottle of RWT, after the Tattinger '02 of course...with warmed olives etc. QANTAS - can you please make the PJs to fit 'short fat' people, we're not all male models anymore... :)
QFF
13 Feb 2016
Total posts 12
Very unhappy with the downgrading of QF First....the new amenities are awful. Very clear intent to cost cut. Food was poor, sleeper suits looked second hand and seats are well past prime condition. Won’t be buying a F ticket again, very disappointed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 98
Totally agree with those who are not fans of the Claustrophobia Box Suites as well as those who appreciate the excellent QF cabin crew. Naturally friendly and cheerfully friendly as opposed to the programmed robots on other carriers. Just hope the mid term A380 upgrades does not squeeze space in all classes.
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