It might seem odd to plonk down thousands of dollars for a business class ticket and then spend very little time sitting or sleeping in that premium seat.
But on Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 there’s a good reason to decamp from the pointy end – it’s the elegant lounge and inflight bar which gives the 517-seat superjumbo an undeniably private jet vibe.
The sweeping design incorporates sofa-style seating for ten passengers, with elegant lighting and high-end finishes wrapped in a restrained colour pallete of woods, dusky caramel and burgundy.
It’s quite different approach to Emirates' in-flight bar (below).
There are softer materials, a warmer design and greater emphasis on the interaction of passengers rather than the bar itself being a local point – which is perhaps closer to the boutique feel of The Lobby on Etihad’s A380 (below).
Also read: Airlines launch 'bar wars’ on the Airbus A380
For instance, Qatar's A380 bar isn’t really a place for standing around – passengers gravitate to the long snaking sofas, which could also make this a more comfortable environment for solo female business travellers to relax with a drink.
The curvaceous combo bar/lounge sits at the rear of the business class cabin on the A380’s upper deck.
(The bar’s location also puts it just ahead of a small 56 seat economy cabin, where passengers will be afforded tantalising glimpses through the curtain of life in the luxe lane.)
So why would you leave the comfy confines of your business class nook?
The spacious lounge offers an escape from the more commonplace airplane environment, plus some top shelf spirits if you'd like a tipple while you relax.
It also pours Krug champagne, which is a cut above the Billecart-Salmon and Taittinger Rose offered in the business class cabin – a significant drawcard to fans of the fizz.
The attendants can also whip up espresso coffee including a cappuccino or latte.
While there’s a small selection of appetisers served at the bar, simpler dishes from the business class menu – such as a cheese platter – can be delivered to the lounge instead of your seat.
I was pleasantly surprised to find AC power sockets at each end of the two window-side lounges for charging your laptop, although USB ports to top up your tablet would be a welcome addition.
Electronic window shades with two settings let you block the bright outside light to give the lounge a more, well, ‘lounge-like’ ambience.
Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380s currently fly from the airline’s home port of Doha to London, Paris and Bangkok, with New York tagged as a likely future route.
Also read: Airlines launch 'bar wars’ on the Airbus A380
David Flynn travelled as a guest of Qatar Airways
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
It's a great bar better than emrites with extra comfort and space aswell a better selection of booze and nibbles
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Krug is definitely a plus!
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
David, if the bar staff are busy and dont see from which direction the pax are coming from, whats to stop upper deck Y pax from sneaking into the bar on the pretence of 'looking for the loo' and just staying there? Unless bar staff asked for a boarding pass of Y staff from their cabin came into the bar and recognised them, there's only a curtain stopping them from sneaking in. I imagine it would be very tantilising on a long Y flight?!
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
A few times during my stay some economy passengers wandered through the curtain and were immediately 'intercepted' by bar staff (they said they were just going for a walk to stretch their legs - yeah, sure!) (well, except for one who asked if he could stay for a drink, and told no). So staff do appear to be quite on the alert. :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Look, but don't touch lol. Quite a tease, particularly if the patrons are having a jolly old time. It's certainly a nice looking space.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
A pity that the QF lounge in their A380s doesn't even start to compare. The current lounge is useless and uncomfortable. I'd love to redesign that area. I'd start by removing the (I think) CSM's office, reduce the width of the stairway and move it to the side of the plane, and ideally remove the first row of seats in J.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
I think it was Virgin Atlantic that started the bar theme in its upper class class section years ago! I used to enjoy flying Sydney to London with them when they were flying to AU
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 47
No.. that would be probably Pan Am when they first had their 747s. It was upstairs where they had the bar. Many airlines in fact had their bars there. Air Canada even had a disco up there. Singapore Airlines, of course did not want to be outdone, and had its signature Raffles Lounge on the upper deck bubble on its 747-200B aircrafts, and its second lounge, the Silver Kris lounge on the lower deck.. between First Class and Economy. (No Business Class in those days)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
Yes, it's funny that in some ways we are going back to the past (golden days of air travel). Even Qantas had a Captain Cook lounge onboard at one time.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 203
You'd hate to be sitting/sleeping/working in the last few rows of Business Class while there's a bunch of people getting rowdy at the bar. Why would the Krug not be served at your seat? Bit of a pain to have treck all the way to the back of the plane for a glass of champange.
10 Nov 2013
Total posts 14
The bar is shared by both F & J pax. As Krug is served in the F cabin, it is also available in the bar as well, although I think we were all J pax when I travelled.
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