Qantas A380 returns to Melbourne-Singapore

Qantas is bringing its Airbus A380 back onto the Melbourne-Singapore route from Monday July 17, albeit only for six days across a two-week period.

However, those days have also seen a flurry of top-value Business Class Reward seats appear at just 68,400 Qantas Points as the superjumbo temporarily floods the market with more than twice as many business class seats than the route’s regular A330.

So if you’re flying between Melbourne and Singapore in the next fortnight, here’s what you need to know.

Qantas flights QF35 (Melbourne-Singapore) and QF36 (Singapore-Melbourne) will feature an Airbus A380 on the following days:

• Monday July 17, Wednesday July 19 and Friday July 21
• Monday July 24, Wednesday July 26 and Friday July 28

All other days rely on an Airbus A330, although as of Monday July 31 a modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner will take over QF35/QF36 most days of the week.

As to why the A380 is appearing just on these days for these two weeks, Executive Traveller has put this question to Qantas and will update this article with the airline’s response.

Those six Superjumbo Days will see a Qantas A380 in the original  ‘classic' configuration, which means the old Skybed business class berths in a 2-2-2 layout.

The original Qantas A380 business class is a blast from the past.

Yes, this is far from ideal, especially for the overnight QF36 flight from Singapore to Melbourne, but there are two upsides.

The first is that with 64 A380 business class berths, Qantas has unlocked scores of Classic Reward seats which are now available for just 68,400 Qantas Points (plus $231 in surcharges) compared to the entry-level Business Saver fares of almost $3,500.

In addition, some of those business class passengers will find themselves enjoying the more spacious surrounds of the A380’s 14 first class suites, albeit without first class meals and drinks. 

Your free Qantas A380 first class upgrade

Although Qantas isn’t selling first class on the Melbourne-Singapore and Singapore-Melbourne A380 days, the airline will allow top-tier frequent flyers in business class to select a first class suite at the pointy end of the plane.

They'll have the same meals, wine and service as anyone else in business class, but it’s all done in a far more comfortable environment.

There's no better place for sleeping on the overnight QF36 from Singapore to Melbourne.

Executive Traveller understands that savvy Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, along with Chairman’s Lounge members, will be able to upgrade themselves from business class seat to a first class suite on their booking’s seat selection screen.

As it happens, some Platinum One frequent flyers who were already booked into business class on the days then the A330 has been swapped to the A380 have already found themselves relocated into the first class cabin.

The A380’s first class cabin should appear when choosing their seat – by clicking anywhere between row 1 and row 5, they’ll land in one of the 14 first class suites.

Snare yourself a first class suite when flying in business class on the Qantas A380.

Any suites remaining unoccupied in the days prior to the flight can be assigned by Qantas to selected frequent flyers, or they may even appear on the business class seating chart if you use the Manage My Booking page to check or change your seat.

You can even ask at the check-in desk or the lounge if there’s a vacant suite still up for grabs, or use the Qantas T-80 tactic.

We suggest suites 1A and 1K for that ‘private jet’ feeling; 2F – also known as the Harry Potter suite – if you want a cosy nest; and 5A and 5K for maximum privacy.

However, Qantas will be selling premium economy on these A380s – and again, these will be the original premium economy recliners, not the latest A380 premium economy seats.