The first reconfigured A380 will re-enter service today, Wednesday 20 June, operating on QF11 between Sydney to Los Angeles. It will then resume the planned schedule of flying Sydney to Los Angeles, with a weekly Sydney to Hong Kong service on Sundays.

The reconfiguration of 12 A380s is part of Qantas' five-year plan for the international business and better suits customer demand on long haul legs including Los Angeles and London. All 12 Qantas A380s are scheduled to be reconfigured by April 2013 and operate on routes including Sydney / Hong Kong; Sydney / Los Angeles; Melbourne / Los Angeles; and Sydney / Singapore / London.

The changes

Changes have been made to the cabin layout and mix of the upper deck, introducing a new Economy Zone. Customers will continue to enjoy our flagship A380 flying experience, including our spacious First Suite, fully-flat Skybed in Business, and award winning seats in Premium Economy and Economy. 

The new configuration has 14 First suites, 64 Skybeds, 35 Premium Economy seats and 371 Economy seats, a total of 484 seats.

There were previously 450 seats on the A380 and the changes are as follows:

•        First - stays the same
•        Business - minus 8 seats (72 to 64)
•        Premium Economy - plus 3 seats (32 to 35)
•        Economy - plus 39 (332 to 371)

The additional capacity has been accommodated by the reduction in the Business cabin and some reshuffling of the cabin interiors such as the galleys, partitions/walls and closets.