Qantas A380 Seat Map: Best Seats in Every Cabin

Updated 8th March 2026

Few aircraft turn heads like the Airbus A380. Qantas’ version of the superjumbo carries just under 500 passengers across two full decks, making it one of the most spacious ways to fly long-haul. The seat layout matters more than many people realise; the right choice can mean extra legroom, a quieter cabin, or even a more private space.

How many A380’s does Qantas have?

According to the Qantas Group Annual Report 2025, the fleet at 30 June 2025 included 10 Airbus A380-800 aircraft, with nine in active operation at that date.

On 5 December 2025, Qantas confirmed that the final A380 (VH-OQC “Paul McGinness”) has officially returned to Australia. This aircraft had spent more than four years in Abu Dhabi in deep storage and heavy maintenance.

Initially, Qantas operated 12, but during the pandemic the airline made the decision not to return two of these aircraft to service.

A common route is QF2 which flies a direct flight (not non-stop) to Heathrow, London. If you are on this route and flying in one of the premium cabins dont forget to visit the Qantas Lounge at T3 in Heathrow.

How many classes does the Qantas A380 have?

Qantas A380-800 has four classes. First Class and Economy are located on the Main Deck, whilst Business Class and Premium Economy occupy the upper deck.

14 First Class at the front of the Main Deck
70 Business Class on the Upper Deck
60 Premium Economy on the Upper Deck
341 Economy on the main deck

Here’s what that looks like.

Qantas A380 Seat Layout / Map

Which is better upper deck or lower deck on A380?

On the Qantas A380, the upper deck is usually the better pick. It’s quieter, has fewer passengers (about 130 compared to 355 downstairs), and feels more private. The catch is that your class decides where you sit. Business and Premium Economy are always upstairs, while First and most of Economy are on the main deck.

What is the best place to sit on the Qantas A380?

Economy takes up most of the main deck on the Qantas A380, with 341 seats in a 3-4-3 layout. The seats have adjustable headrests and individual screens, so you’ll have entertainment for the long haul. Meals and drinks are included, and the experience is about what you’d expect; comfortable enough if you pick the right row, but busy given the size of the cabin.

Qantas A380 Best Economy Seats:

1. Row 71 Seat D
2. Row 51 Seats K,J,H
3. Row 80 Seats A & K

These are not exit row seats yet they are positioned in parts of the cabin that have super extra legroom. You can select a preferred seat at time of booking to ensure you get the seat you hoped for.

Alternatively if you are not stressed about where you are seating you can also opt for the T80 Qantas hack that could see you seat right up the front of the cabin.

Best Seats Qantas A380 Premium Economy

Premium Economy on the Qantas A380 sits just behind Business Class on the upper deck. There are 60 seats in a 2-3-2 layout, so it feels smaller and quieter than Economy.

Look out for Row 31 A,B and K,J are bassinet seats and the middle F,E,D are the ones that offer the leg room.

Beware of Rows 38 and 39 don’t have storage bins like the rest of the seats.

Think of Premium Economy as Economy with more breathing room. The seats are wider, you can stretch out further, and the adjustable footrest makes a big difference on overnight flights. With only 60 seats, the cabin feels quieter and the crew have more time for each passenger.

In Premium Economy you board earlier, get a better meal than Economy, and a small amenity kit with basics like socks and an eye mask.

With only 60 seats, the crew look after this cabin separately, so service usually feels quicker and more personal.

Best Seats Qantas A380 Business Class 

On the upper deck you’ll find Qantas’ A380 Business Class, with 70 seats in a 1-2-1 layout. That means every passenger gets an aisle, which makes the cabin easy to move around in. It’s a straightforward setup; roomy, comfortable, and well suited for long haul trips.

If you are travelling with a partner and would like to share your journey then take the middle seats. These are E and F. There is a divider which can be pushed down. Both seats have aisle access.

Depending on where you want to be located in the cabin (close to the toilets or close to the business class lounge on board) select your seats. I generally opt for the middle part so I can enjoy a quieter and more private flight.

The A & K window seats are in alternates. Only half of them are really located directly next to a window. 

So if you are a window person try and opt for the row that is directly next to it. They are rows (11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28)

Best seats for Qantas A380 First Class

First Class on the Qantas A380 sits right at the front of the aircraft with just 14 suites. It’s private, spacious, and still feels like a special way to fly, even if the design shows its age compared to newer products. The upcoming Project Sunrise cabins will raise the bar when they debut, but for now the A380 still delivers a classic First Class experience.

The layout is 1-1-1. I don’t think you can go wrong in selecting seats here. But here are some tips.

2F is tucked underneath the stairs so it appears to be the most private of all suites.

If you are travelling with a partner and wish to enjoy the journey together then opt for the F and K seats as you are directly across each other.

Why you should know a seat layout on an aircraft

Knowing the seat layout before you fly makes life easier. It helps with picking rows that suit your needs, whether that’s extra legroom, restrooms, exits, sitting with family, or just avoiding the busiest parts of the cabin. It also means less stress during boarding and settling in, since you already know what to expect.

Not all cabins are the same and they may vary from aircraft to aircraft and also amongst airlines. It’s also important to get value for money.

For instance if we look at the Emirates Airbus A380-800 Seat Plane (which is one of my best airlines to fly business and first class), it has a number of aircrafts flying around including 8 different configurations across 4 types of aircrafts. Furthermore their 777 ‘game changer’ is floor to ceiling First Class Suites. But you have to know the routes they fly the game changer on. That way you get value for money and an incredible on board experience.

Qantas is currently investing in their fleet renewal program. Their project sunrise will see brand new A350-1000’s coming into service around 2026 and their new A321XLR Neo’s will be flying by September 2025. Whilst their A350-1000 is a four class state of the art configuration, their A321XLR features 2 classes and is nowhere near the same as the A350. It’s important to know these details.

Understanding Your Aircraft and Maximizing Value

Understanding your aircraft and selecting the best business class hard and soft products, you ensure value for your money. If you are travelling on points, utilizing a points redemption value calculator can help you maximize your rewards when booking flights, allowing you to get the most out of your travel investments.

How Do You Get Qantas Points?

There are so many ways to earn Qantas Points. Here are a few ways I have done so to date:

Everyday Rewards Woolworths, BP Petrol, Live Eftpos Black for business transactions, hotels, car hire, Qantas Insurance, Qantas Home Loans (massive 100,000 every year), Qantas Shopping Online Mall, Red Energy power bills, Qantas Wellbeing app, and so much more.

💡 Did You Know?

Each Qantas A380 is named after an Australian aviation pioneer, honouring their contribution to the industry. The fleet includes:

• Hudson Fysh
• Paul McGinness
• Nancy-Bird Walton
• Fergus McMaster
• Charles Ulm
• Reginald Ansett
• David Warren
• Bert Hinkler
• John & Reginald Duigan
• Phyllis Arnott

Is Qantas retiring their A380s?

Qantas has confirmed it will eventually phase out its A380 fleet. In a 2023 fleet update, the airline said its new Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 787s will “gradually replace … the Group’s 10 Airbus A380s from around FY32 onwards.” This means the superjumbo will keep flying for the rest of the decade, but its long term replacement is already planned.

FAQs

Summing Up

The Qantas A380 has a bit of a cult following, and for good reason. It’s spacious, quiet on the upper deck, and still one of the best ways to fly long-haul out of Australia. Not every seat is created equal though. In Economy, rows like 71D or 80A/K give you unexpected legroom. In Premium Economy, the front rows are worth grabbing if you can. Business Class has true window seats and couples’ middle seats, while First Class is all about privacy. Get the seat right, and the A380 feels every bit the flagship aircraft Qantas wants it to be.

If you’re flying long-haul on the A380, a little prep goes a long way. I’ve put together an ultimate travel packing list that covers the essentials, so you can step on board relaxed and ready.

Finally, before flying into the UK or Europe, it’s important to check the latest visa waiver requirements for both the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the European ETIAS. Travelers, including those holding Australian passports, are now required to apply online for entry approval to the UK and European countries. A new entry/exit system (EES) will also be implemented mid 2025.

Safe travels😊

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