Qantas announced that its new Airbus A380 aircraft will have a state-of-the-art interior, one created with a new level of customer involvement. The design by Australian industrial designer Marc Newson incorporates many customer-initiated ideas. Customers were also involved in testing the ergonomically designed seating.
The fleet of twenty aircraft are scheduled for delivery starting in August 2008. The plane will have 450 seats in four classes of service, First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. A detailed list of features for each is provided at the end of this article.
The First Class cabin will have fourteen private suites, each with a 17-inch LCD wide screen video monitor, personal storage , a touch screen control unit, and a seat that swivels into a comfortable armchair and a fully flat, extra long, and very wide bed.
Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said that the 72 seats in the Business cabin “now offer a longer, fully flat bed with ergonomically enhanced cushioning, a larger in-arm entertainment screen and additional storage options.” He added, “A key feature of the Qantas A380’s Business cabin is the private lounge area on the upper deck of the aircraft featuring leather sofas, a self-service bar, large video monitor with laptop connectivity and a feature display cabinet.”
Qantas will introduce a new 32-seat Premium Economy cabin, which will be located on the upper deck of the aircraft behind the Business cabin. Borghetti said that the new seats “will offer extra width and recline, more legroom and a fully adjustable, in-arm, digital wide screen television monitor.
The new Economy cabin seat will move on a sliding base that moves with the seat back for a more ergonomically correct position designed to aid sleep and eliminate pressure points. The design was tested in the sleep positions that are most likely to be used on long flights. The seat incorporates a foot net to stop sliding during sleep, more knee and shin room, and a larger in-seat screen. The 332-seat Economy class will also have four self-service bars so that passengers can help themselves to refreshments during the flight.
Every cabin will have wireless connectivity, in-seat laptop power, USB and RJ45 ports. Passengers will have access to the internet through their own laptops or the seatback entertainment facility. In-flight entertainment will include 100 on demand movies, 350 television selections, 500 audio CDs, 30 PC style games, and a selection of audio books, language tutorials, destination information, business education and radio channels.
Some elements of the design are being incorporated in the carrier’s existing international Boeing 747-400 aircraft. A Premium Economy cabin will be added in February 2008, and the seat fabrics, curtains, and carpets will be updated.
Key features of Qantas’ A380 cabin interiors:
First Class
* 14 individual suites
* Electronically adjustable seats with programmable positions and a fully adjustable multi-zone massage function
* Extra long and wide fully-flat bed with foam mattress, sheepskin overlay and fitted cotton sheeting
* Electronically deployed 17” LCD wide screen video monitor
* Touch screen control unit featuring personal flight map and operating all electronic functions
* Electronically adjustable privacy screens
* Leather guest seat and large dining table designed to accommodate two
* Variety of personal storage options, including a dresser unit
* High quality finishes including leather and solid wood
* Noise canceling headset port, PC power, USB and RJ45 ports
* Electronically controlled dual layer window shades
* Main deck cabin with enhanced cabin soundproofing
* Designer amenities, soft furnishings and tableware
* Amenity kits
* Cotton pajamas, slippers, and eyeshades
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Business Class
* Enhanced electronically-adjustable sleeper seat
* Extra-long fully-flat bed with pre-programmed seating positions, adjustable lumbar support, and massage function
* Illuminated seat controller operating all seat functions
* Electronically deployed privacy divider
* Fully adjustable in-arm video monitor
* Personal storage, including dedicated spaces for laptops, headset, shoes, reading material, water bottle, and coat hook
* Multiple reading lights, noise canceling headset port, PC power, RJ45 and USB port
* Lounge area featuring self-service refreshment bar, large sofa, seatbelts for in-flight use, selection of reading material, large entertainment screen with laptop connection for presentations and feature display cabinet
* Upper deck cabin configured in two-two-two layout
* menity kits
* Cotton pajamas and eyeshades
Premium Economy Class
* Ergonomic seat with adjustable headrest, and integrated leg rest with fold out footrest
* Large, in-arm, touch screen video monitor
* Wide center console with fixed cocktail table and in-arm dining table
* Noise canceling headset port, PC power, USB and RJ45 ports
* Literature pocket and water bottle holder
* Seating configured in two-three-two layout
* Self-service bar
Economy Class
* Ergonomic seat with carbon fiber seat back, articulating seat base, and flexible front edge
* Enhanced shin and knee clearance with net foot rest
* Wide screen seatback personal video monitor
* Concealed in arm entertainment controller, PC power, RJ45 and USB ports
* Literature pocket and water bottle holder
* Seating configured in three-four-three layout
* Four self-service bars
