Qantas A380-800

The A380 is Qantas's flagship: 485 seats across four classes on two decks. First Class (14 seats) is on the lower deck in a 1-1-1 layout. Business (70 seats) is on the upper deck in a 1-2-1 lie-flat configuration. Premium Economy (60 seats) sits in its own upper deck cabin with 39-42 inches of pitch. Economy (341 seats) fills the rest in a 2-4-2 layout at 31-inch pitch. The fleet of 10 aircraft (averaging 15 years old) flies Sydney-London, Sydney-LA, and Sydney-Singapore, with Dallas/Fort Worth and Johannesburg planned. They won't retire until 2032, when the A350-1000 takes over.

First Class suites (rows 1-5 lower deck) don't have sliding doors like Emirates or Singapore -- instead, shell-like partitions and automatic privacy shields create a cocoon effect. The left-side 'F' seats get automatic shields that rise at cruising altitude. Bedding is by Sheridan with an air foam mattress. Business on the upper deck is spacious and quiet -- the 1-2-1 layout with lie-flat beds is the best Qantas has to offer. Premium Economy's upper-deck cabin (rows 42-52) is physically separate from economy and worth the upgrade on overnight flights. In Economy, the upper deck (rows 60-75) is quieter than the lower deck.