Your guide to Qantas first class seats, service and more [2022]

Qantas first class – or as the airline brands it, Qantas First – is your ticket to a luxurious experience from start to finish, including spa treatments in selected lounges when departing from Australia, and a spacious open suite once in the sky. Here is everything you need to know about the pinnacle of the Qantas experience.

What is Qantas first class?

Qantas first class delivers the airline’s highest level of service on selected international flights and destinations served by the flagship Airbus A380: these are Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, London and Los Angeles.

On the ground, you can expect speedy check-in and access to first class lounges, while in-flight, you can relax in a comfortable and private suite with a plush bed, fine dining and attentive service.

Qantas offers first class only on the A380 superjumbo, not on the Boeing 787 – but a new first class experience is planned for 2025 on board the ultra-long range Project Sunrise A350 jets, which will fly non-stop from Sydney and Melbourne to the likes of New York, London and Paris.

Five reasons we love Qantas first class

The best suite in the Qantas fleet

Nestled at the front of the A380’s lower deck, the 14 Qantas First suites have a unique design which makes their lack of a sliding door – as featured in the flagship first class products of Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines and others – less an issue.

The wide, well-padded armchair faces forward for taxi, take-off and landing…

… but can then rotate towards the windows and video screen when you’re ready to settle down.

Combine that with the shell-like walls wrapped around the seat and the result is a private cocoon for your 8-14 hour journey.

Around the seat itself is a fold-down snack table for pre-flight drinks and canapés, a garment hook, two air nozzles, and a literature pocket.

In first class, the Airbus A380’s large windows are electronically controlled.

There’s plenty of personal space, and the electronic window blinds let you shade or fully block the light – hand when it’s time to sleep.

One of the best beds in the sky

Speaking of sleep, your first class seat transforms into a wide and spacious bed dressed with a luxurious Sheridan ensemble including an air foam mattress, crisp sheeting and a soft duvet, a combed cotton-woven throw and soft-touch bolster cushion, and a pillow menu with three styles to suit different comfort needs.

The absence of closing doors is actually a positive here, as you still have plenty of privacy but without feeling boxed in.

Quality onboard amenities

Upon boarding, you’ll be handed a pack of Martin Grant-designed pyjamas and plush slippers, along with an amenity kit featuring quality skincare products from LaGaia.

There’s nothing spectacular here, but everything is to a high standard, useful and well thought out.

Top-shelf Champagne and wines, elevated dining

As you’d expect, the inflight food and wine experience is leagues ahead of business class – although regular Qantas First flyers will agree that it’s lost some shine over the years, and it’s a clear second place against several competing airlines.

While the A380’s Sydney-Singapore leg has a…