Qantas has received the first of its reconfigured Airbus A380s, which adds more economy seats at the expense of business class and self-service snack bars.
With the reconfiguration, total capacity of the aircraft is raised to 484 passengers, mostly due to the addition of 39 economy seats, most of which are located in the rear of the upper deck, taking total economy seat count up to 371. Three more premium economy seats are also added, taking total count to 35, while eight Skybed business class seats have been removed to leave a total of 64.
Qantas has maintained its 14 First Class suites on the lower deck.
The airline has also removed five self-service snack bars from the aircraft, including two in the business class cabin and the sole one from the premium economy cabin.
Qantas says that the changes make the aircraft better suited to the demands of passengers on the London and Los Angeles services they operate on.
VH-OQD is the first aircraft to have completed its reconfiguration, and is expected to re-enter service on June 20 on the Sydney-Los Angeles service
Qantas says that all 12 A380s currently in its fleet will undergo reconfiguration up to April 2013, with the work being done at Lufthansa Technik Philippines in Manila.
