Qantas A380 returns to Sydney-Hong Kong

Qantas will give its Sydney-Hong Kong travellers a superjumbo experience from late March through June, with an Airbus A380 moving onto the 9.5 hour route – and offering first class suites to selected business class passengers, along with free premium economy upgrades for some economy flyers.

Slotting in as QF127/QF128 across a slew of dates from Sunday March 26 to mid-June, the superjumbo brings not only a significant boost in the number of business class seats – from 28 on the current Airbus A330 to 64 stretched along the A380’s upper deck – but also a premium economy cabin, something that’s lacking entirely on the A330.

Qantas expects some of those extra seats will be filled by travellers from Melbourne, given its decision to push back the return of Melbourne-Hong Kong flights.

The superjumbo is swooping back onto the Sydney-Hong Kong route.

The airline resumed flights to Hong Kong on January 30, and as exclusively reported by Executive Traveller this week will also reopen the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge which was declared “permanently closed” in 2020.

Hong Kong’s superjumbo upgrade sees Qantas pressing into active duty an Airbus A380 which has recently been kept “on standby to assist with operational recovery.”

The original Qantas A380 business class is a blast from the past.

Unlike its siblings which have been steadily returning to the skies, this superjumbo remains in the ‘classic' configuration with the original Skybed business class berths (and their 2-2-2 layout).

But some of those business class passengers will find themselves enjoying the more spacious surrounds of the A380’s 14 first class suites, albeit without first class meals and drinks. 

Your free Qantas A380 first class upgrade

Rather than set up a full first class service on the Sydney-Hong Kong route for the 12 weeks during which the A380 is flying, Qantas will continue to sell the flight as a two-cabin offering of business and economy – but will allow top-tier frequent flyers in business class to select a first class suite at the pointy end of the plane.

14 lucky travellers can escape those saggy business class Skybeds.

They'll have the same meals, wine and service as anyone else in business class, but it’s all done in a far more comfortable environment.

Even with business class f&b, first class is always a nice place to be...

Executive Traveller understands that savvy Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, along with Chairman’s Lounge members, could be able to upgrade themselves from business class seat to a first class suite on their booking’s seat selection screen.

The A380’s first class cabin should appear when choosing their seat – by clicking anywhere between row 1 and row 5, they’ll land in one of the 14 first class suites.

However, that self-upgrade to first class might not be available until sometime next week: Qantas tells Executive Traveller that top priority will be given to accommodating Melbourne-Hong Kong passengers who are being rebooked via Sydney.

There's no better place for sleeping on the overnight leg from Hong Kong to Sydney.

Any suites remaining unoccupied in the days prior to the flight can be assigned by Qantas to selected frequent flyers, or they may even appear on the business class seating chart if you use the Manage My Booking page to check or change your seat.

(You can even ask at the check-in desk or the lounge if there’s a vacant suite still up for grabs, or use the Qantas T-80 tactic as your departure date nears. On the day of the flight, Qantas plans to offer unallocated First seats to top-tier frequent flyers.)

We suggest suites 1A and 1K for that ‘private jet’ feeling; 2F if you want a cosy nest; and 5A and 5K for maximum privacy.

For the best view on the daytime flight to Hong Kong, opt for 4A and 4K, while on the overnight return leg, light sleepers should avoid 5F. 

Your free Qantas A380 premium economy upgrade

Likewise, Qantas won’t be selling premium economy on the Hong Kong-bound A380s – but nor will it let those 35 recliners go empty.

Executive Traveller understands Platinum, Platinum One frequent flyers and Chairman’s Lounge members booked into economy can expect to see the premium economy cabin exposed on the seat selection map as rows 24-28.

Qantas A380 premium economy: the best legroom is at seats 24A, 24B, 24J or 24K.

Again, expect the same meals, drinks and service as your downstairs economy class compatriots, but at least you’ll be in more comfortable and spacious seat, as well as a quieter, more intimate cabin.

We suggest choosing seats 24A, 24B, 24J or 24K for the most legroom, as you can stretch out all the way to the bulkhead wall.

Low-status and no-status passengers stuck in economy can try the Qantas T-80 rule to snare their premium economy seat; on the day of the flight, Qantas plans to offer empty premium economy seats to top-tier frequent flyers in economy.