Come up with a catchy name for Lufthansa’s A380 and you could win 1 million Miles & More miles.  Good luck.

This year I’ve been fortunate enough to fly in first class on A380 on all the airlines which operate it (excluding Air France which has just taken delivery of their first A380). I think it may be useful having a comparison between the three products.

In each case, the A380 first class is the best first class offering of the relevant airline. Singapore Airlines even has restricted bookings in this class to special paid fares and no awards (Qantas also had special paid fares for A380 first class initially but soon dropped this approach).

Emirates – Sydney to Auckland (picture from Emirates)

Qantas – Sydney to Singapore (picture from Creative Commons)

Singapore – Singapore to Melbourne (picture from Singapore Airlines)

Pre-departure

All 3 airlines treat A380 suites the same as any other first class on the airline – ie pretty well. This means a dedicated first class check in lane (Qantas in Sydney & Melbourne, and Singapore in Singapore also have a special curbside first class check in lobby), priority immigration queue, access to a nice first class lounge (or combined business & first class lounge in the case of Emirates), as well as priority boarding together with business class and frequent flyer elite passengers. Emirates also has airport limo transfers at both ends for first and business class passengers on most routes (including trans-Tasman).

Qantas in Sydney and Melbourne, and Emirates in Sydney, also have a priority security queue for first class, business class and frequent flyer elite passengers. At Singapore security is processed at the gate, and the gates used by A380 do not have a priority lane.

Onboard all three airlines you are escorted to your seat, offered a pre-departure drink (juice, water and champagne are offered but in practice you can request other drinks as long as they don’t take too long to prepare). On Singapore Airlines the champagne is a choice of Krug or Dom (2000 vintage currently), on Emirates it is Dom and on Qantas it varies. Emirates also offers a date and shot of Arabic coffee before departure.

Menus are handed out before departure. Other amenities (pajamas, slippers, toiletry kit) may be handed out before or after departure. Note due to the short flight duration, my Emirates flight did not offer pajamas or the normal amenity kit, but did include slippers and a small collection of creams.

On all three airlines noise cancelling headphones are used. Qantas has the headphones ready in a cubby hole but doesn’t switch on the IFE (except for the tail camera) until well after take-off, Emirates hands out the headphones before departure so you can start watching movies straight away, whilst Singapore Airlines doesn’t hand out headphones until after departure.

The hard product

All three airlines have a suite for first class – ie at least partially private with lie flat bed and ability for couples to dine together. Emirates and Singapore Airlines have a relatively similar set-up – in contrast Qantas is quite different.

On Qantas and Singapore Airlines, first class suites are on the lower deck, but on Emirates they are on the upper deck. Qantas has 1-1-1 layout across the cabin with seats angled to the direction of travel, Singapore Airlines and Emirates are 1-2-1 layout with seats facing forward. This means Qantas is not so good for couples travelling together, Singapore Airlines has the widest suite, whilst Emirates makes use of the space beside the grand main stairs to provide 2 showers in well appointed shower rooms (limit to 15 minutes use per flight, with timeslot bookable). Emirates and Singapore Airlines A380 suites have doors, and Qantas does not, but due to the angled seat direction Qantas suites are almost as private as if they had a door.

All of these suites have plenty of legroom in bed or reclined mode, however Qantas has an odd arrangement whereby seats face forward for take-off and landing and this has minimal legroom. The Qantas (and I think Emirates too) seat can convert to a bed with you sitting in it, whereas with Singapore Airlines you need to get out for a minute while cabin crew converts it for you.

The tables are good in all three – large so that a couple can eat together, and somewhat adjustable, although Singapore Airlines table has less flexibility than the others.

Of the little touches, I like the double blind system used by Qantas – lower one set to cut out glare while keeping the suite light and lower the second set to darken, I like the several air nozzles in the Emirates suites but the mini bar is a bit gimmicky for my taste.

All three suites have large screens to watch the in flight entertainment. The selection is the widest of the various offerings by each airline – Qantas has a special system not available on their other aircraft, and both Emirates and Singapore Airlines have their renowned comprehensive entertainment options. I’ve flown Qantas A380 twice and both times the IFE crashed in my seat (and other seats). 2 flights is a small sample so I could have been unlucky there.

Qantas and Emirates have a special touch screen controller to adjust the various suite functions (seat/bed positions, lights, etc) and double up as IFE controller. Singapore Airlines has the more traditional handset plus buttons in the suite wall.

Soft product

On all three airlines, A380 first class has much the same soft product as other first class, and it is pretty good.

Singapore Airlines has a special menu for suite class (ie A380 first class) but really it is no different to first class menu for the same or equivalent route. All three airlines have great food and drink options, and the option to dine at your leisure (ie you pick the time to eat). One of my great pleasures of flying longhaul premium travel is the ability to take my time savouring a great wine and food menu. I think it is a mark of great crew to identify the pacing a passenger wishes to take and making sure they don’t feel rushed or slowed down (in case of trying to get to sleep afterwards) unduly. I enjoyed a long slow meal with Singapore Airlines, for Emirates the flight is too short for maximum effect but there was some tailoring in the speed for each passenger, but with Qantas there was less flexibility offered in this regard – I felt rushed.

On the Sydney to Singapore flight Qantas has the degustation menu, which is a great way to sample many different foods with accompanying wine selections. Emirates had the least interesting food options, but for a 140 minute flight it was still very impressive (and far better than any on offer by any of the other 7 airlines flying the Tasman). Their longhaul menu was better still.

Cabin crew can make a world of difference to how a flight is enjoyed. Emirates and Singapore Airlines had great attentive staff who seemed to read minds when you wanted something. Qantas on the other hand continues to have a problem with consistent quality of cabin crew, and this was made worse with A380 by their decision to use staff on a newer contracting arrangement for this aircraft. Qantas appears to have accepted the negative feedback and since my flight has included other more experience crew in addition and is taking steps to improve quality all round.

How can you experience A380 suites for low cost?

Emirates flies A380 between Auckland and Sydney, and first class fares are relatively low (a little over US$1000 return). For longhaul look for fares from certain cheap originating Asian countries to Toronto. Otherwise, Skywards miles are easily able to be used on A380 first redemptions.

Qantas first class fares are never cheap. Look for British Airways premium sales to Australia – often these include first class (as return or one-way in business and one-way in first), and thanks to the joint services agreement on the kangaroo route these are bookable on the BA codeshare on the Qantas A380 flight as well. Otherwise, mileage redemptions are possible although hard to get unless using Qantas Frequent Flyer points (since QFF redemptions are opened at roughly 355 days before departure often prime awards are sold out by the time AAdvantage redemptions open at 330 days before departure).

Singapore Airlines blocks awards on A380 suites. You can get lucky, as I did, by booking an award on a flight operated by 747 before it is switched to A380. However, the easiest and surest way (for now) is to book first class between Singapore and Hong Kong and pick the A380 flight. Eventually Singapore Airlines must open up A380 suites to awards, but it has been over 2 years already with this policy.

Summary

I enjoyed the first class A380 suites experience on all three airlines. I certainly want to try Emirates on a longer flight. Qantas was the most different and also the most disappointing. I hope my experiences were an aberration as they have the potential for a very good service. Singapore Airlines offered all that I imagined, and lived up to their high reputation and my expectations from many prior flights on other aircraft.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask by comment and I’ll try to answer.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

As I write this I’m already on my way to the biggest Flyer Talk party of the year, and by the time this entry posts I’ll be miles closer to joining the fun. All FT dos are fun, but this one looks to be especially good.

I’m talking about the Star Mega Do – 7 Partners, 6 Airports, 5 Flights, 4 Days, 3 Aircraft, 2 Continents, 1 Alliance, and over 200 excited frequent flyers (as far as I know George Clooney isn’t one of them). Unfortunately due to my schedule I miss the start of festivities in Chicago, and Newark, and New York JFK, and flying to Europe. To console myself I’m flying in style with a first class award whisking me half way around the world to arrive just in time for the events in Europe. Given my crazy schedule I’ll probably sleep most of the flights, but for now I’m far to excited to sleep despite the long sequence of late nights and early mornings.

Ironically one of the events is a tour of the Airbus factory in Toulouse where A380s are made, yet I’m flying there on a series of Boeing aircraft. At least I’ll be flying mostly Airbus on the way back, including an A380.

I’ll be back later to report on the fun and some new travel experiences I have planned along the way. For now, though, I must go and prepare for my upcoming transit where I have lots to do.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

Granted, the first travel dream coming true for me recently sets a low bar, but it has been long time a-coming. Finally after years of frustration my local airport will have a bus service that meets every arriving and departing flight. Over the years I’ve spent a small fortune on cabs (it is a 30-60+ minute cab ride each direction for me) because there is no bus early enough for the early morning departures, or late enough for the late evening arrivals, both of which feature prominently in my itineraries. It was recently announced that from next week the bus will be running 24/7. Yay. I still have gripes about the service, such as the spotty frequency and the lack of frequent flyer discounts (this week alone I’ll use the bus 8 times!) but 24/7 is a good move to be applauded.

The second travel dream was the very rare double upgrade from a cramped economy seat to a luxurious business class bed on a 14 hour flight. I’m very grateful to the airline staff who arranged this for me.

The third travel dream is yet to happen, but I am counting down to it. I’ve been wanting to fly Singapore Airlines on the A380 for years, even planning to be on the inaugural until my hopes were dashed by the date confirmation coming hot on the heels of a complicated itinerary booked in a race for lifetime frequent flyer status a few years ago. Since then I’ve flown Qantas A380, and Emirates A380, both in first class. Earlier this year I flew Singapore Airlines A380 for the first time, in business class. Finally, in a couple of weeks time, I get to fly first class on Singapore Airlines A380 thanks to judicious use of a frequent flyer mileage award. That isn’t the only thing I’m looking forward to on that trip, but the other stuff will have to wait for my flight has been called for boarding.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

Source: Emirates

I recently got a chance to try Emirates business class on the A380, through the use of a nice mileage promotion. It has a different set-up to most seating configurations and I was keen to sample it. The layout is 1-1-1-1 in every second row and 1-2-1 in every other row, with each seat offset laterally from the seat in front. The picture above shows how it works – basically your legs fit underneath a wide tray and mini-bar of the seat in front.

This layout gives aisle access to every seat and ensures most business class passengers are not sitting close to any other passengers (the exception being middle seats in every 2nd row). However, it does mean less legroom than any other longhaul business class product and seat width is not great. The solid construction of the mini-suite is also quite confining and makes it seem that you have less seat space than you actually do.

I think the concept is good but I don’t like the confined feeling, and legroom is a real problem if you are average or above average height. I certainly prefer Singapore Airlines “new” longhaul business seats (on A345, 77W and A380 aircraft) which has a similar set-up (feet into cubby of the seat in front and short pitch) but at least has plenty of room through the great width and much smaller seat walls.

Aisle seats have several inches more legroom than middle or window seats, and are less enclosing. The window seats are very private. Other than that there is not much difference in seating. The business class bar is at the rear of the second cabin and proximity to that may be a factor for some.

For the outer seats overhead bin space may be a problem on full flights – the bins are quite small and will not fit most rollaboards for example.

Service was okay. Food and drink were excellent as usual with Emirates. Disembarking can be slow since the crew wait until all of first class have left before allowing business class to go out – that is the drawback of having first and business class both on the upper deck. This contrasts to Qantas A380 which has first class at the front of the lower deck and business class at the front of the upper deck.

If Emirates’ intention was to create a big difference in seat comfort between first and business class (a problem on some airlines as less people are prepared to pay for first when longhaul business class is so good), then they’ve succeeded in my view. However, if the opportunity arises again I think I’ll choose a different aircraft type or airline, since I found the seats most uncomfortable.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

I’m the most excited I’ve been about an upcoming flight for a long time. After a very long wait I will soon finally get to fly Singapore A380. To think that I was planning to be on the inaugural A380 flight years ago. Now I’ve already flown Qantas (last year on a joyride and more recently longhaul) and Emirates on their A380s.

I can’t wait to try it out.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

Last month I, and many others, blogged about Singapore Airlines releasing awards in first and business class on 77W and A380.

Upon investigation the release was in error and stopped within a couple of days. However, I stand by my comments that I expect there will be a relaxation of the current blackout of premium (new product) first and business class awards on Singapore Airlines … hopefully this year.

There are 2 good reasons. (1) with the retirement of their 747s Singapore Airlines is rapidly running out of longhaul routes on which you can get premium awards (777-200ER flies secondary longhaul routes but has no first class). (2) Singapore Airlines is not immune to the plunging loads in premium cabins being experienced nearly everywhere (IATA data shows a worldwide 12% fall in premium cabin revenue in November 2008 alone). It is one thing to not offer awards to protect revenue but if they are not selling any seats (some A380 flights have had zero sold F seats) then they may as well get some income through awards.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

We have a quick answer to the question posed in my previous blog entry.

Will 2009 see Singapore Airlines finally making available their new/best
first and business class on awards? Currently A380, 77W and A345 awards are not
available in first at all, and only available in business class using expensive
Kris Flyer awards.

The answer is (mostly) yes. We now see 77W awards available in first and business for the first time (other than the odd glitch), and A380 awards available in business also for the first time. Still unavailable for awards are A345 in business and A380 in first.

Similarly, in recent days we’ve been seeing Qantas free up awards and discounted fares in first and business class on their A380 flights.

Now, having opened the gates the question is how long will it be until Kris Flyer removes the double charge for business awards on these aircraft? The same award seats are available at a fraction of the cost using miles from other programs.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

I blogged previously that I’d been invited* by Qantas on a promotional A380 flight before scheduled service begins. What I didn’t dare hope for, though, was that I’d be seated in their new first class for the flight. Woohoo.

Source news.com.au

I’d seen the publicity materials from Qantas when the new product was launched, and had been underwhelmed. Perhaps it was because Emirates and Singapore Airlines had both taken the opportunity to add fantastic new first class products on their A380s that expectations were too high.

Having sat in the seat for a couple of hours I think the pictures do not do it justice. For sure it is not as good as the top notch suites, but it is much better than the current Qantas First Class. I’d rank the new first class upper quartile rather than leading.

The cabin most definitely family unfriendly – you cannot easily see a small child in another seat, and also cannot reach across to refasten belts. While not enclosed ala Emirates or Singapore Airlines, there is a reasonable amount of privacy at least while seated or laying down. Stand up and you can see all.

I’ve posted a full review on Flyer Talk.

Here are a few snippets.

… overall the cabin is of airiness.

The seat faces forward for take-off and landing. There is limited legroom but with plenty of knee room in this position. Other than take-off and landing, there does not seem much point in the forward-facing position. All the other features of the seat are best used when the seat is swivelled.

There are plenty of places to put little things, but only 1 spot to put a laptop bag or similar – under the ottoman. There are two swivel triangular drawers under the small shelf at far right. A couple of cubbies up against the seat when swiveled. The lower one of these is partially blocked when in bed mode, but as a secure place to put things while sleeping it is inferior to BA first and business, or NZ business, for example.

The main table is inbetween the cubbies and the shelf and well positioned for eating alone or with someone else at the ottoman. The table however is not as large as NZ or CX business class, so it will be cosy for two.

There is a recessed drink/glass holder in the shelf, and also behind the head when in bed mode. Good for putting a water bottle in, but watch out if resting a glass on the shelf!

There is a pop-out coat hook to hang your jacket when you first arrive while waiting to hand it to an attendant, or on landing after being handed it back. There is also a hook on the seat wall to hang the headphones so you don’t need to stuff them into a cubby or have them loose on the tray table or shelf.

In swivel mode there is decent legroom regardless of how far reclined the seat is. In bed mode the length is reasonable, the bed is flat (arm rests drop to lie fairly flush) and reasonably comfortable.

The master controller is wall mounted, and can also be lifted out of its socket. It reminds me of the one Emirates has in first class on A345 aircraft. The controller operates IFE, seat positions, blinds, lights, privacy screen, etc. It is touch screen, but also has buttons for preset seat positions, overhead lights and a crew call button. There are 7 different directions the seat can be adjusted (including massage functions), and 5 preset seating positions.

* The invite was offered due to my frequent flyer status, not for any publicity in this blog or elsewhere.

The Qantas A380 also has a new IFE system, which appears to be much better than the existing system. More on this later.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

I’ve gotten my passport back with the necessary visas (I think) for my upcoming trips. A few places I can get a visa on arrival, and there are a couple of places where it is not clear if I need a visa or not due to poor wording. Even the visa experts I use were baffled. Hopefully it works out okay, and if not I can talk my way out of the problem.

The passport came back in good time, for I have been invited by Qantas to a promotional A380 flight. Despite being domestic only (sadly), the function will be held in the international terminal. I’m looking forward to it.

The new US visa (waiver) program ESTA, which comes in mid January is now up and running – you can pre-register now at the website. I’ve managed to avoid USA on the first few trips for 2009, in part to avoid problems with the new system. However, I’ve realised I should still sign up by the end of this year, because in the event of irregular operations on my flights from South America to Australia I may get rerouted via USA. It would be very annoying to be denied the option merely because I failed to register.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.