The Airbus A380 is a massive wide-body jet that is the world’s largest passenger airliner. Since we last reported on who was flying it, Asiana Airlines and Qatar Airways have added the A380 to their fleets.
Qatar is a oneworld alliance member, and Asiana belongs to the Star Alliance, so you can now get aboard this aircraft with miles from any member of those alliances. As you can see from the routes below, both carriers are flying to some exciting destinations and offering impressive first class cabins.
Qatar Airways
Routes: Qatar debuted the A380 on its Doha to London Heathrow route. The new aircraft is currently used for two of the five daily nonstop flights between the two cities. The A380 also flies from Doha to Paris (CDG) and Bangkok.
Cabins: Qatar’s A380 have three cabins and hold a total of 517 passengers.
Located in the front of the plane’s upper deck, first class has eight seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. They feature a 90-inch pitch and are 23 inches wide. The cabin has two dressing rooms and toilets and includes access to a lounge area that is shared with business class passengers. The windows have a built-in electronic shade that opens and closes at a press of a button.
Business class, located behind first class in the upper deck, is also in a 1-2-1 seating configuration. The 48 seats feature up to a 52-inch pitch and are 22 inches wide.
Economy class is split between the two decks. There are 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration in upper deck, and 405 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration in the lower deck. They have up to a 32-inch pitch and are up to 18.5 inches wide.
All cabins have access to on-demand entertainment systems, which include TV, movies and audio programming. You can also access WiFi and call and text from your personal electronic devices. You can upgrade your flight to Business or First Class by redeeming Qatar Airways Privilege Club miles.
Asiana Airlines
Routes: Asiana calls its A380 service Asiana380. The airline first flew the A380 from its hub in Seoul to Tokyo (NRT) and Hong Kong. It also flies the aircraft from Seoul to Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Bangkok and Osaka.
Cabins: Asiana offers three cabins aboard its A380s, which seat a total of 495 passengers.
Like Singapore Airlines, Asiana offers a First Suite. The 12 private suites aboard are in a 1-2-1 configuration and are located in the front of the aircraft on the lower deck. The First Suite includes a 32-inch TV, buddy seat, duvet and mini personal closet. The length of the bed is 80 inches, compared with the 74.5 inches offered in business class.
Business class, referred to as Business Smartium, has 66 lie-flat seats in a staggered configuration of 1-4-1 that gives every passengers access to an aisle. It’s located on the upper deck and includes a bar and lounge area.
There are 417 seats in economy. The upper deck economy section is in a 2-4-2 configuration, but the lower deck seats are in a 3-4-3 configuration.
All cabins feature on-demand entertainment systems.