Qantas reveals new Airbus A380 layout

Qantas' flagship Airbus A380 fleet will get a makeover next year, with the business class cabin being pared back while 42 seats are added to the premium economy and economy sections.

A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed that while the swanky first class cabin remains at the point end, an extra 39 seats will be squeezed into the economy cabin situated behind this, boosting the 'cheap seats' count from 332 to 371.

On the A380's upper deck, eight seats will be dropped from business class (going from 72 down to 64) while the rear premium economy section will gain three seats (up from the current 32).

That makes a total of 484 seats, or 34 more than today's A380 tally.

Qantas already has 10 A380s with two more for delivery by year's end. Those final two superjumbos will be delivered in the current configuration, and starting in 2012 the dozen double-decker jets will all be retrofitted to the new layout.

This will make 2012 a big year for the big bird, with Qantas also set to trial in-flight internet on a limited number of A380 flights early next year and the possibility of introducing the A380 onto the Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth service.

Source: Australian Business Traveller