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10 Best First Class Airlines On The A380

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British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, lufthansa, Qantas, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air
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The Airbus A380 is the largest and heaviest passenger aircraft in the world. But which airlines use this plane, and which has the best and most luxurious cabin? Singapore Airlines vs. Emirates vs. Etihad vs. Qatar Airways vs. Lufthansa vs. All Nippon vs. Qantas vs. Thai Airways vs. Korean Air vs. British Airways.

A380 Facts

Let’s look at the facts. The A380 is huge. It is 73 m (240 ft) long, 24 m (78 ft) high, and has a takeoff weight of up to 560 tons. While I understand how and why these manufactured beasts can fly, when I see them take off as I drive into Heathrow and see them take off close up, over my head, it still blows my mind that 560 tonnes can get into the sky. Perhaps that’s the aviation geek in me, but aren’t they just wonderful?

The A380 has four engines but uses less fuel and produces very low noise emissions per passenger. The problem is they are not very adaptable. If you don’t run them at capacity, the losses can be huge, plus they are limited to larger airports, making them a less flexible aircraft to use if the schedule changes.

Only 14 airlines worldwide are still operating the A380 (sob), which is sad as they are such a delight to fly on. They are so smooth and so quiet! In fact, Airbus is halting the production of these magnificent planes in 2021 permanently as there simply isn’t the demand. This means it is worth trying to score a trip on one of these planes while you can, whichever class you decide to fly in.

1. Singapore Airlines First Class

Singapore Airlines is the best First Class Airline in the world with the best First Class cabin on an A380. The Singapore Airlines First Class suites are only onboard the Airbus A380 aircraft.

They are fabulous and we have reviewed Singapore Airlines A380 in First Class. The new First Class cabin features beautiful, warm, and stylish decor with light shades of grey and beige, creating a calming and neutral tone.

Beautifully crafted walls frame the aisle, only interrupted by the sliding doors, which give access to the individual suites. Two stylishly furnished lavatories further accentuate the First Class cabin’s exclusivity in the front. One feature palatial dimensions, has a sit-down vanity counter, and is stocked with Lalique toiletries (e.g., unique citrus-scented facial mist, body lotion, and fragrance).

Singapore Airlines First Class A380 cabin now features just six suites in the front cabin of the upper deck. Each suite comes with a separate full-flat bed with an adjustable recline and plush, swivel leather chair, enabling passengers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the bed from a sitting position.

The beds in the first two suites of each aisle can be converted into a double bed, a fairly unique feature in the skies.

Each suite has a 32-inch full HD monitor, a full-sized personal wardrobe, a specially designed carpet, and a feature wall with mood lighting.

Acclaimed chefs bring fine dining onboard with creations inspired by cuisines and cultures worldwide. The food is excellent. Exquisite fine dining in the sky! The airline is famous for its’ Book the Cook’ service, where you can select your gourmet main course from a premium selection of dishes at least 24 hours before departure.

During our last flight from London to Singapore, the food on offer was some of the best our team has experienced in all their years of traveling.

At bedtime, passengers can use Singapore Airlines’ signature turn-down service, with fine linen and plush, full-sized pillows.

2. Etihad Airways First Class

Etihad Airways have launched the First Apartment, pictured above, on its A380 superjumbos. The First Apartment has a large leather armchair and a separate bed of more than 6 feet. It is either the best or second-best First Class on an A380 plane. It is very hard to choose which is best, this or the Singapore Airlines First Class product.

The First Class cabin is located on the forward upper deck of the A380. The First Class cabin on Etihad’s A380 is stylish, with two beautifully crafted walls framing a small corridor leading to the forward staircase and containing the Apartments’ sliding entrance doors. The lighting patterns in the ceiling project Arabian mosaic-like figures on the walls and floor, adding to the relaxing atmosphere.

Etihad Airways A380 First Class cabin is the industry’s first-ever single-aisle cabin, and only nine First Apartments are on the plane. There are 5 First Apartments on the right side of the cabin (with 2 toilets in the front), while the left side features 4 First Apartments. This asymmetry is explained by the fact that the missing 5th First Apartment and lavatories on the left side of the cabin are replaced by the Residence (featuring a private living room, separate en-suite shower room, and a bedroom with a double bed).

If First Class is too expensive for you, the other cabins on Etihad Airways’ A380 are also very comfortable. The 70 Business Class Studios, which I have also reviewed are set in a 1-2-1 configuration, are located on the upper deck of the A380, behind First Class on this Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380.

The First Class cabin has 9 First Apartments in total: 5 with a rear-facing seat (1H, 3A, 3K, 5C & 5H) and 4 with a forward-facing seat (2C, 2H, 4A & 4K). The Apartments 3A, 4A, 3K, and 4K have their seats located next to the window, while in the other Apartments, the seats are located close to the aisle away from the window, making it more difficult to enjoy the views during takeoff and landing. Six of the First Apartments (3A & 4A, 3K & 4K, and 1H & 2H) are interconnecting, with a divider that can be lowered to join rooms.

Each First Apartment has the same amount of space and an identical layout. It features a wide armchair and a separate ottoman, both upholstered with the finest Poltrona Frau leather. Carry-on luggage needs to be stored in the space below the ottoman.

The very comfortable recliner seat is equipped with an in-seat massage and a pneumatic cushion control system. The seat has two armrests: one holds the tray table, while the other holds the Apartment and inflight entertainment system controls. By pressing a button, you can change the ottoman’s position, raise or lower the window blinds, and control the light settings for various lamps within the Apartment. Next to the seat is a minibar stocked with a premium selection of beverages and a cabinet that holds the noise-canceling headsets.

In front of the seat, you find the Apartment-wide ottoman. You can use it as a footrest when watching TV, or it can be used as an additional chair when you want to dine with a companion. The ottoman can also be opened up to become a separate 80.5 inches (205 cm) long flatbed. When you want to sleep, flight attendants will offer a turn-down service: the ottoman will be flattened out into a bed, and the flight attendant will cover it with a decent mattress, duvet, cotton sheets, and two pillows. If you are traveling in one of the interconnecting Apartments, you can lower the divider and enjoy the comfort of a double bed.

Each First Class Apartment has a 24-inch (60 cm) flat-screen, which features hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment. You can watch more than 300 TV shows and more than 100 movies. The flat-screen can be tilted so you can still watch TV while lying in bed.

Etihad’s First Class amenity kits include fine fragrances from New York brand Le Labo – Bergamote 22, including hand balm, lip balm, facial moisturizer, and a refreshing towelette. Dental kits, socks, eyeshades, earplugs, mints, pillow mist, and pulse point oil are also provided. First Class passengers also get black pajamas and slippers.

Etihad has real-life chefs on board (recruited from Michelin-starred restaurants around the world). The food is an exquisite seven-course tasting menu with amuse-bouche, granita, and pre-dessert tasters. The Mezoon Grille menu is available to Etihad’s First Class customers only. It featured various premium products, including beef, chicken, lamb, and seafood, along with a range of delicate sauces, sides, and delicious desserts, all prepared to order. Everything is served on fine bone chinaware, cutlery, and crystal glassware.

Etihad Airways First Class cabin on the A380 has 2 toilets in front of the plane. Both have a lovely design and feature Le Labo Begamote 22 toiletries. One of the toilets also features a fully equipped shower room. Each First Class passenger has access to 5 minutes of running water in the shower, although you can turn on and off the water supply as often as you want. Emirates First Class on the A380 also offers a shower suite which I photographed here.

Etihad Airways has installed a lounge on the upper deck of the A380 between First and Business Class, designated ‘The Lobby’. The latter is an intimate space that resembles a lounge in a boutique hotel than an airplane cabin. It seats up to six guests and has a widescreen TV so you can watch live sports with other passengers.

3. Emirates First Class

Emirates’ First Class features private, gold-clad suites. Emirates’ A380 planes feature 14 First Class suites, all of them located on the forward upper deck. The Dubai based airliner is also the largest operator of the Airbus A380.

The First Class suites on the sides of the plane (the window seats) are ideal for solo travelers and offer a generous 3 windows per seat, offering great views. The 6 suites in the middle are perfect for those traveling with a companion since dividers between these suites can be raised or lowered to provide a feeling of extra spaciousness.

Despite the high number of suites, the First Class cabin still offers an exclusive ambiance. It features a sumptuous decor, with lots of walnut veneer and gold trim. With the exception of the window side, the suite is surrounded by high walls, only interrupted by two sliding doors that connect the suite to the aisle and can be closed to create a completely private space.

The ergonomic seat, which has a width of 23 inches (58 cm), is comfortable, and its various positions and built-in massage systems are controlled via a tablet. The seat automatically reclines into a fully flat bed of 86 inches (218 cm) long, with a fully retractable armrest at the push of a button. When you want to sleep, a cabin crew member installs a mattress, fluffy pillow, and soft duvet.

In front of the seat, you find a gold-framed, 32 inch (81 cm) video screen, the largest of its kind in the skies, with a desk below. The latter features a fold-away mirror with a vanity kit and a drawer containing a writing kit. Upon boarding, the crew also puts a basket with several snacks (e.g., dried mango, chocolates, etc.) on the desk.

One side of the seat features a room-temperature minibar with soft drinks and juices, and you can order whatever (cooled) drink you want during the flight. Besides the minibar, there’s a tablet to control seat movements and the inflight entertainment system ICE. ICE has an extensive range of new-release and classic films, television shows, box sets, and audio options. You can choose from up to 1,800 channels of the latest and greatest movies and must-see TV shows, on-demand and in multiple languages. The cameras installed in the tail, nose, and belly of the A380 mega plane also offer some fun moments, especially at takeoff and landing.

Emirates’ First Class menu is extensive, and you can order whatever whenever and it tastes as good as it sounds. Here is a typical lunch menu:

And this is the dinner menu:

Like Etihad, the Emirates A380 offers an onboard shower in its First Class cabin. There are two showers (with heated floors!) at the front of the upper deck, each of them located in one of the two spacious First Class lavatories. It’s quite surreal to indulge in a refreshing and rejuvenating shower at 40,000ft, using Bvlgari toiletries and Timeless Spa products. Each First Class passenger can shower once per flight, getting five minutes of water when showering (although you can turn the shower on and off as often as you want). You can see more pictures in my separate picture review of the Emirates A380 First Class shower suite.

4. Qatar Airways First Class

Qatar Airways First Class on the A380 is one of the best. The intimate cabin has a very airy and spacious feel because it does not have completely enclosed suites like on the A380s of Emirates Business Class and Etihad First Class Apartments.

The cabin features a pallet of calming colors that match quite well together: pink (cushions, tv screens), beige (seats), and brown (wood panels). There are 8 seats spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, all having direct aisle access. The 4 First Class seats on the sides are ideal for solo travelers with a generous 3 windows per seat, while the 4 seats in the middle are perfect for those traveling with a companion. There is a small bar in the front of the cabin (with crisps, nuts, bottled water, and juices), a library (with magazines), 2 lavatories, and the stairs to the lower deck.

The seat is extremely comfortable and has very generous dimensions, with a width of 23 inches (59 cm) and a length of 83 inches (210 cm). In front of the seat is a large ottoman, a large TV screen above the ottoman. The ottoman has some storage space underneath and can be used as an extra seat when you want to dine with a companion.

The seat reclines into a fully flat bed. In fact, this is the best bed I’ve ever slept in at 40,000 feet. The Qatar Airways cabin crew told me it’s the largest bed in the skies. Not sure whether that is correct, but it felt very spacious.

Breakfast is delicious on Qatar Airways. I had the cured salmon with citrus fruit, avocado purée, and fish roe, while my choice of entree was the chicken and potato rosti, sambhar, wilted spinach, and coriander crème fraîche. It all tasted delicious, although I found the portions rather small.

However, in Qatar Airways’ First Class, you can dine at any time of your choosing and in any order, so a couple of hours later, I ordered some more dishes as a light lunch. I had a starter composed of Heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad, Kalamata olives, bell peppers, and basil oil, followed by a small entree of lobster tortellini with shell-fish sauce diced tomatoes with chives. As a sweet finale, the only option was a selection of indulgent individual Laduréé desserts. Qatar Airways is consistently better than the food on Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Qatar Airways also features a stunning onboard bar located at the rear of the plane, between the Business Class cabin and a small Economy Class cabin. The bar is curved, with leather sofas on both sides of the bar area. It has stunning chandeliers inspired by contemporary Arabian design and fresh flowers.

Qatar Airways First Class passengers can take home a stylish Giorgio Armani bag packed with bits for the flight and bathroom back at home. The amenity kit contains Armani perfume, body lotion, shower gel, shampoo, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, and lip balm. Pajamas were not provided on this day’s flight. First Class passengers also receive complimentary Wi-Fi while flying Qatar Airways. The internet speed is decent.

Qatar Airways A380 First Class cabin has 2 very large lavatories. Both feature a bench, large mirrors, a sink, luxurious toiletries, and flowers. In contrast to Emirates and Etihad Airways, there are no showers.

5. Lufthansa First Class

The First Class cabin on Lufthansa’s A380 offers its clear lines, timeless design, and muted colors. It has a unique sense of spaciousness, largely because they have removed the overhead bins. The plane features eight large seats located on the upper deck that are arranged in a pleasantly open design. An individually operable and adjustable screen lets passengers decide how much privacy they want at any time. There is also a convenient wardrobe that has plenty of room for storing luggage or clothes.

A lie-flat bed is an absolute must for a long flight if you want to arrive fit for work rather than a visit to the chiropractor. The seats in Lufthansa First and Business Class lie flat, although the First seats and cabin are more spacious. Interesting detail: the first automatic air humidification system onboard a commercial airliner also helps to create a pleasant cabin climate.

The amenity kits were handed out to each passenger individually on my flight, but they are not that exciting. The only noteworthy point is that you get grey pajamas, a soft throw blanket, and the La Prairie creams, which are generous and smell nice.

In terms of layout, First Class on the A380 is set out in rows of 4 seats, 2 window, and 2 aisle. There are only 8 seats, and there is no best seat, just the preference of window or aisle. There are also 2 toilets at the front of the cabin. When you want to sleep, the staff make up your bed with excellent bedding, and the bed is super comfy and ideal for a great sleep. The fact that you are not close to your neighbor means that sleep in First is much easier than sleep in Business Class.

Once on board, you are offered Champagne and nuts. When you are in the air, the main meal is served, which started with a wild salmon tartare with mango carpaccio pre-starter to go with your drink.

The nice thing about traveling in First is that the tables are beautifully set. Of course, there is also a large selection of wines and beers and other drinks available. Most noteworthy is that when you are ordering your food, it is also not unusual to select all the appetizers at once! Before landing, there was a snack meal to choose from with a variety of options, from salads to mini burgers.

Lufthansa has a very consistent first-class offering. Nice cabin, excellent service, and staff, good food, nice ambiance.

6. Qantas First Class

Qantas has a reputation for being the safest airline in the world. Qantas hasn’t had a fatal crash. This reputation was glorified in the 1988 blockbuster Rain Man when Dustin Hoffman’s character refused to get on a flight unless it was Qantas because “Qantas Never Crash”.

Qantas has equipped its 12 A380 aircraft with 450 seats, and it was the first A380 airline with a four-class configuration. The 14 spacious, semi-open Qantas First Class Suites are located in the forward main deck and can be converted into flatbeds measuring 212 cm (83.5 inches) in length and 83 cm (28.7 inches) in width. The suite also features a 43 cm (17 inch) touch screen and an ottoman so passengers can host a companion inside their suite during the flight.

Qantas’ Bedding Down service features luxurious pillows, blankets, a duvet, and a sheepskin mattress. The unisex navy and black trim Qantas First pajamas are 100 percent cotton, designed exclusively by Martin Grant. They feature a tailored neckline and tapered silhouette to ensure elegant comfort in the First cabin and come with matching slippers. Stylish male and female First amenity kits come in the same navy hues and feature a range of hydrating ASPAR by Aurora Spa products, Martin Grant-designed travel socks, dental kit, earplugs, and deodorant.

While food is very good, I was not overly impressed with the flavors nor presentation of the onboard meals created by Neil Perry. The menu read as follows:

Before landing, I was hungry again (despite this being only a 7:30 hour flight), so I ordered the seared hamour with tamarind chickpeas, cauliflower, and coriander (which was not exactly my cup of cake).

The Qantas A380 does not have a proper onboard bar, contrary to Emirates, Etihad and Qatar which I have compared describing which is best. However, the front upper deck features a small and cozy lounge, where you can stretch your legs and interact with other passengers.

7. British Airways First Class

The look of the British Airways First Class cabin is very sleek and beautiful, but the experience pales in comparison to that offered by other airlines on their A380 planes, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Qantas. British Airways does, however, feature in my top 10 best airlines for long-haul Business Class.

The British Airway’s Airbus A380 has 469 seats spread over two decks with four cabins: 14 seats in First, 97 in Club World (Business Class), 55 in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy), and 303 in World Traveller (Economy).

The First Class cabin is located at the front of the main deck, behind the cockpit. The cabin is modern and sophisticated, with 14 semi-open suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, all of them having direct aisle access and facing forward. There are 8 window seats (4 on each side) and 6 paired seats in 3 rows in the cabin’s center. Although they are not fully enclosed, all suites have high seat walls and enjoy total privacy. Nobody is directly looking into the suite across the aisle as none of the rows quite line up, and the window suites are angled towards the windows while the middle seats are angled towards the centerline. Also, dividers can be raised for extra privacy.

BA A380 First Class seat features a semi-open design. However, it’s located within its own cocoon and feels totally private (no other passengers can see you, thanks to the herringbone layout and high seat walls as stated above).

The seat itself is spacious, with a generous pitch of 78 inches (198 cm) and a width of 22 inches (56 cm). It features a dark, leather-stitched upholstery. In front of the seat, an adjustable ottoman can be used as part of the flatbed or as an extra seat to dine with someone else. The entertainment screen is located above the ottoman and swings out from the suite’s sidewall. That same seat wall also holds a cabinet opening to the aisle where you can hang a coat and store your shoes.

There’s a reading lamp and a small cabinet for storing smaller items. This space also contains the power ports, a USB port, and the inflight entertainment remote. Above this cabinet are buttons and a jog wheel control device to regulate everything within the suite, from the programmable seat positions, the suite’s lighting, privacy screens, and the automatic window shades. This side of the seat has a platform to place a drink on, which stores your tray table.

The seat can be transformed into a fully lie-flat bed of 78 inches (198cm) long. The crew provides a soft mattress topper, a thick pillow, and a very comfortable blanket.

Although I do not consider the BA First Class Amenity kit one of the best airline amenity kits in the world; it is very nice nonetheless. There is different content for men and women. The stylish, grey-colored bag features a BA leather logo on the front and the word “First” imprinted on the leather zipper pull. The men’s bag contains shave gel, revitalizer moisturizer, lip balm, deodorant stick, and eye gel from London-based grooming emporium for men, The Refinery, in addition to essentials such as a pen, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, hairbrush, and razor.

BA’s First Class passengers also receive pajamas with slippers. The lightweight, dark green pajamas and feature the BA First Class logo on the chest.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew handed out hot towels to the First Class passengers. Dinner then proceeded. About 90 minutes prior to landing, the cabin lights were switched on for a delicious breakfast.

8. Korean Air First Class

Korean Air has furnished its A380s with only 407 seats, far fewer seats than all other A380 airlines. All 12 First Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout in the front of the main deck. At 67 cm (26.5 inches) wide, the seat in the Kosmo Suites is considerably wider than a regular First Class seat. Their 200 cm (79-inch) long one-piece, jointless seat mat ensures maximum comfort and helps reduce fatigue on long flights.

Each suite offers a large screen positioned for privacy and a comfortable work table. New Suites will also have sliding doors, allowing you to see through walls only from the inside, not from the outside.

The Korean Air A380 also features the ‘Celestial Bar’, a relaxation space for First and Business Class passengers: its chic interior design, exquisite lighting, and impressive sky lounge provide the perfect atmosphere to wind down and relax while sipping on specially crafted cocktails that can only be experienced on Korean Air.

9. Thai Airways First Class

The decor and ambiance onboard Thai Airways First Class on the A380 combines rich vibrant colors with traditional design elements seen, for example, on bulkhead murals. The new First Class cabin features an almost tropical retro-look. The light grey suite walls are partly covered with wooden panels, with the ‘mahogany’ theme persisting in the dark, purple seat fabrics and the leather arm- and footrests. Bright yellow pillows, blankets, and headrests make for a remarkable and colorful contrast.

Thai Airways Royal First Class cabin onboard the A380 provides just 12 compartment-style seats. Seats have a pitch of 210 cm (83 inches), a width of 67 cm (26.5 inches), and a 180-degree, fully flatbed configuration. The 58 cm (23 inches) AVOD interactive touchscreen entertainment and information system offers almost unlimited channels, plus there is full connectivity for Wi-Fi, mobile, and SMS communications devices, with an in-seat PC Power outlet. Other exclusive facilities include a spacious lavatory/dressing room and a Royal First lounge on board.

The food on Thai Airways is very good. The dinner that was offered during my last Thai Airways First Class flight was delicious, consisting of some of the best food I had ever tasted in a First Class cabin. I selected the following items from the menu:

The breakfast service was less extensive and a bit disappointing. Fresh fruits, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruit juice, and a fruit smoothie were offered as a starter, followed by a tomato dill omelet with pork sausage, bacon with spring onion, roasted baby potato, and grilled asparagus.

10. All Nippon Airways First Class

All Nippon Airways (ANA) operates three A380s exclusively on the Japan-Hawaii route. All painted in special “sea turtle” liveries. The First Class cabin on ANA’s A380s is located on the upper deck and is an exclusive space with only eight seats, featuring a wallpaper patterned with a starry sky.

Seats are set up across two rows in a 1-2-1 layout and are separated from the Business Class section by an extended galley space. Each seat features its own door and provides passengers with privacy.

All First Class seats have a 32-inch LCD widescreen monitor, a wide table, extra reading lights, and a personal closet for jackets, and several compartments for smaller items. There is an adjustable partition screen between the center seats.

Inside the cabin, graphics and lighting aim to emulate Hawaiian scenery, including sunrises, starry skies, and rainbows. We have placed this A380 First offering because although it is a great way to get to Hawaii, the airline has so few A380 planes, you are unlikely to try this First Class offering.

Review inspired by the Luxury Travel Expert.

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