Qantas to strip A380 of first class cabin

Qantas is to start removing first class cabins from its B747-400s and installing business class flatbed seats as used in its A380s from the end of 2011.

It will also remove first class cabins from all new A380s, freeing up cabin space.

Nine of its B747s will be fitted with the airbus’ standard seats and inflight product. In business, this means a fully-flat Skybed sleeper seat. Both classes will have Panasonic on-demand inflight entertainment. The new configuration will offer 359 seats, an increase of 52 seats.

Qantas’ current 12 A380s will continue to fly with a four-class configuration but will be refitted to reduce business class and increase Premium Economy and economy seats.

Its A380s due to be delivered in 2012 will offer no first class seating.

Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce said the $400m investment is happening in order to make the Qantas experience more consistent and in anticipation of forecast changes in premium cabin demand.

He said: “The major upgrade will give all our long-haul customers access to our award-winning seats and inflight entertainment Qantas offers on its flagship aircraft, the A380.

“Customer feedback on the Qantas A380 experience is overwhelmingly positive, and this experience, including the fully flat Skybed in Business, the all-new Economy seat and the inflight entertainment system will be available to customers travelling on Qantas B747-400 services.

“We are committed to investing in premium customer product and service – to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers, maximise yields and generate revenue and investor returns.”

By Dinah Hatch