Qantas A330 Business Suite hailed in Aussie design awards
By David Flynn, April 24 2015
Qantas' new business class seat – the Airbus A330 Business Suite – has been singled out as a finalist in Australia's Good Design Awards 2015.
That comes as no surprise to AusBT, nor we suggest the many travellers who've flown on the Business Suite on its domestic and international routes.
AusBT review: Qantas Airbus A330 Business Suite
Qantas chose a superb seat from Ireland's Thompson Aero Seating, then handed it over to Marc Newson to bring an even sharper focus to both styling and usability.
The result is, we believe, the world's best domestic business class.
The judges for the Good Design Awards 2015 were equally impressed, praising the Business Suite as a "beautifully executed product."
"Careful thought has gone into understanding the customers' needs and requirements – this is a purpose designed seat for a very particular traveler."
The third upgraded A330-300 international jet rolled out of the hangar this week and has joined its siblings in flying from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Singapore and Hong Kong.
Qantas expects to have 15 refurbished A330s in service by the end of 2015, with that line-up split between eight domestic jets and seven international models.
The new-look inflight entertainment system of the Business Suite was also chosen as a finalist in the Good Design Awards' Interface Design category...
... with the airline's revised economy meal service making the shortlist for Commercial Services.
This year's Good Design Awards count 250 finalists across seven categories, and anybody with even a casual interest in design will be impressed by the calibre of nominees – click through to the Good Design Awards 2015 Entries page to see them all.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2015
Total posts 54
Once these refurbishments are completed (by the end of 2016), might Qantas turn its attention towards renewing its A380s? Do people think this ought to happen? Is it sustainable for Qantas' domestic product to be better than its international product? Or is the domestic arm/market far more important than the international arm these days? By the end of 2016 the A380 product will be close to ten years old (September 2008). If the A380s were to be reburbished, surely the 747s would have to be done as well? What are people's thoughts?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2015
Total posts 54
Then again, QFi is a relatively smaller player these days, particularly compared to the Gulf carriers (EK, EY etc.) Perhaps it is just not worth it since the QFi network is so condensed now, especially given its near monopoly on the US market.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Apr 2014
Total posts 34
Agree the A380 is not a competitive product making CX ,some EK A380 only and all Etihad better options for sleep and privacy , ashame qantas is slow to refresh it product., unfortunately not my first choice as the ticket is at the top end price category at the bottom end for value ? No brainier to justify to the corporate finance directors on who and what we can fly. If the product improves love to fly qantas long haul.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2011
Total posts 52
Ahh hello qantas! Why then is the VH EBM being used on Syd Perth?
business class my butt! 5 hours of sitting bolt up right!
I should have stuck with virgin but I thought hey they might be smart at Qantas and make the business class changes to the x jet star clappers and thus put true business class jets on the long legs
but no such luck
must be that Irish coffee again
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2011
Total posts 52
Just go virgin
less stress
lower prices
better seats
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