Qantas brings the A380, and first class, to Johannesburg

Qantas is adding first class to the Sydney-Johannesburg route, while also doubling the number of premium seats, as the A380 superjumbo swings onto the 14-hour trek beginning today.

This is the world’s only A380 flight across the Southern Indian Ocean and, when flying a southerly route on a clear day, passengers can often see Antarctica.

The move comes ahead of the restart of direct flights between Perth and Johannesburg from mid-2025.

It also sees Qantas launch a new partnership with Johannesburg-based Airlink to unlock flights to nine South African destinations including Cape Town and Durban from October, on which passengers can earn Qantas Points and status credits.

Qantas last offered first class between Sydney and Jo’burg on its Boeing 747 in 2018. The route was later taken over by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but now leaps forward from jumbo jet to superjumbo.

In addition to the 14 first class suites, the Qantas A380 boasts 70 business class flatbeds (compared to 42 on the Dreamliner) and 60 premium economy recliners (against the Dreamliner’s 28).

Also read: The best business class seats on the Qantas A380

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace says the A380 upgrade reflects “strong demand for our Johannesburg services… we will nearly double capacity during peak periods” over the 787.

Qantas says these inaugural A380 flights have full passenger loads in both directions – and once on the ground, a wealth of experiences await, from wildlife spotting on safari to sipping and savouring through some of South Africa’s historic wine regions.

The airline now counts eight active A380s of a total fleet of 10, “with the remaining two returning to service over the next 18 months.”

Qantas is also ramping up its 787 flights from Sydney to New York via Auckland, with six flights a week from October 10.