Qantas Airbus A380 gets a first class upgrade ahead of Project Sunrise launch
December 2, 2025
Australian airline Qantas has unveiled a range of upgrades to its Airbus A380 first class proposition as the carrier prepares for the introduction of Project Sunrise flights in 2027.
The upgrades being introduced to the airline’s largest aircraft include enhanced onboard dining options, improved amenity kits, and redesigned pyjamas, as the company seeks to retain its loyal first-class customers.
Qantas upgrades first class on its A380
Qantas has unveiled a series of improvements to the first class product on its widebody A380 aircraft.
All ten of Qantas’ serviceable A380 superjumbos are set to be in service during December after five years of operating with a reduced fleet.
Not only are the improvements aimed at keeping the carrier’s first class product (branded as ‘First’ by the company) competitive against its rivals, but they are also being introduced ahead of the company’s ultra-long-haul flights from Sydney to London and New York being launched in 2027, known as ‘Project Sunrise’.
The improvements will progressively be rolled out across Qantas’s A380 international network from December onwards and will be completed by mid-2026.
Improved dining options on Qantas A380s
Customers travelling in first class on flights from Australia will be offered dining options from a menu that the airline terms “one of the world’s best restaurants in the sky.”
Qantas’ Creative Director of Food and Beverage, Neil Perry, has curated the new menu. The new offerings incorporate several signature dishes from his acclaimed ‘Margaret’ restaurant located in Double Bay, Sydney, alongside a range of new menu items featuring Australian producers from across the country.
The new First dining experience will be paired with award-winning Australian wines, a wider selection of cocktails and a signature pour of Bollinger La Grande Année 2015 alongside Pommery Cuvée Louise 2006 – both from the carrier’s selection of premium champagnes.
The dining choices on board the newly refreshed A380 First experience will include –
- Margaret’s tartare of yellowfin tuna with gochujang, toasted sesame and baby cos
- Roasted Wollemi duck with orange caramel, crisp Chinese greens, golden sesame and jasmine rice (GF)
- Crumbed Margra lamb cutlets with shaved fennel, pine nuts, rocket, salsa verde and lemon
- Neil Perry’s Gran Torino Torta Di Verona with Amaretto and toasted almonds.
As part of the airline’s ongoing focus on jetlag mitigation and in-flight wellness ahead of its groundbreaking ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights, First customers will be able to opt to dine on demand throughout the journey to allow for maximum rest.
This will be an important aspect of the A350-1000-operated Project Sunrise flights, which are likely to have durations of around 21 hours when they commence in the spring of 2027.
Upgrading the whole first class experience
Away from the food and beverage upgrades, Qantas has collaborated with lifestyle brand Aesop to create new amenity kits.
The new kits will be offered in three exclusive collectable designs created for Qantas and will be offered to customers alongside the introduction of new navy Qantas-designed pyjamas and loafer-style slippers, which are being introduced for “enhanced inflight comfort.”
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said the updates reflect the airline’s ongoing investment in delivering a premium experience across its international network.
“Our customers fly First because they value the quality in every detail. On longer flights, a fine dining experience, premium amenities and complete comfort really matter, so we’ve focused on improving each of these areas.
“Our incredible Cabin Crew have been undergoing in-flight trials and an intensive training program. It is great to welcome new premium partners on board, and we look forward to delivering this new experience for our First customers.”
Qantas and its Airbus A380 fleet
Qantas currently serves London Heathrow (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), Singapore (SIN), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Johannesburg (JNB) with its fleet of ten A380 superjumbos.
Each aircraft is operated in a four-class configuration. This includes 14 first class seats, 70 in business class, 60 in premium economy and 341 in economy, giving a total capacity of 485 passengers.
The first class dilemma
Contemporary airlines are facing a dilemma regarding first class. Should they retain their most premium cabin offerings, which can prove highly lucrative when filled, or do they give up the real estate for business and premium economy seats that may be less profitable but are far easier to fill, particularly on the most popular routes?
While many airlines have given up on first class in recent years, or only offer it on select routes, others continue to embrace the concept and work hard to make sure their first class cabins are the best in the sky.
Other airlines are upgrading first class
Other airlines that have been revamping their first-class products in recent times include Emirates, which in July announced it would be upgrading the first class cabins on selected Boeing 777-300ERs and its A380s.
Meanwhile, Air France unveiled a new first class suite for its long-haul aircraft back in March, while Lufthansa is currently rolling out its Allegris first class product on its fleet of A350-900s.
The ongoing investment by airlines in their most exclusive onboard cabins is indicative of just how demand for premium class travel has boomed since the pandemic.
It also indicates the high value that certain carriers still put on first class and how they are continuing to invest in first class to protect their market share in this most lucrative sector of travel.
Featured image: Ryan / stock.adobe.com
