Qatar Airways takes delivery of its first A380 – here’s what to expect.

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Sep 17th, 2014

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines welcomed a new star to its fleet – the A380, and for those who don’t know wings made in Broughton.

In the presence of His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO, the airline took delivery of the first of its 10 Airbus A380 aircraft on order.

A tradition within Airbus: Handing over of gifts when taking first delivery of an all-new A380 aircraft. Airbus President & CEO Fabrice Brégier (left) and His Excellency, Mr Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive Qatar Airways

The delivery marks the beginning of a new chapter for Qatar Airways, as it pushes boundaries and expands its operations.

The A380, with its unique combination of increased capacity, long-haul range and unbeatable fuel efficiency, will enable the airline to carry its passengers even further and at deluxe comfort standards.

So, “Lets go through the keyhole” as Keith Lemon would say and take a look at the Gulf carriers First and Business class cabin’s

Qatar’s A380 first class

There are two rows of a 1-2-1 layout, and each seat is an exceptional 58cm (23 inches) wide, covered in a soft woven fabric, while suite trimmings include leather and touches of engraved copper.

Each seat converts to a fully flat 2.2 metre (90 inch) bed, seen here with the privacy screen raised between the middle pair of seats.

There’s also a 26 inch (48cm) personal HD video screen with a 3.8 inch touchscreen controller.

Each passenger gets their own wardrobe, with pockets containing slippers and the amenity kit.

The amenity kit contains Giorgio Armani products.

The A380’s two exclusive first class bathrooms “create a spa-like warmth with contemporary clean lines and a finish that comes with the most luxurious amenities”, the airline preens.

Toilet concealed under padded benches

Qatar’s A380 Premium Lounge

Tucked away towards the rear of the A380’s upper deck is a spacious inflight lounge and bar with a snaking centrepiece.

Qatar says the lounge not only “offers passengers an escape from the typical airplane environment” but has been designed to exude the feel of a private “executive club”.

Qatar’s A380 business class

Most of the upper deck is home to 48 business class seats featuring a near-identical design to their siblings on Qatar’s Boeing 787 fleet.

The 55cm (22 inch) wide seats are very comfortable in a standard recline…

Inflight entertainment is courtesy of the 17 inch HD display, which comes with a touchscreen controller housed in the edge of the main table – again, a very user-friendly location.