Is QANTAS first class OUTDATED?

Is Qantas first class really worth it? Or is it outdated? In this video I will take you on my journey from Perth to Miami on a number of different flights including Qantas first class. The Qantas A380 first class has been a big offering for Qantas for some years now but how does it compare to other airlines like Emirates first class? Well allow me to tell you my thoughts on the Qantas first class A380 in this Qantas first class review!
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[@limmingxian2854]

VH-OQA is the world's oldest A380 currently in passenger service. This is also the same aircraft that had the engine failure after taking off from Singapore heading to Sydney as QF32 back in 2010.

[@aaron_ow]

My close friend from primary school was on that flight, I'll never forget that day. It's crazy that the plane has been in service that long but the refurbishment makes it look brand new!

[@SuperCoolFunHappyGuy]

Wow, I didn't think I would be reminded of that "PAN PAN PAN PAN" call by the pilot. I watched a documentary on that failure, feels like a lifetime ago.

[@graemecatty9921]

A piece of history right there. Thanks for the info.

[@AUmarcus]

​@@aaron_ow It was out of action for repairs after the incident for a while so the airframe hasn't cycled as much as the others.

[@maxjb9941]

great info! thanks mate

[@adambarton73]

Hi Kym I work for Qantas Engineering and very much appreciate your positive review, we are all trying hard to be great again

[@Daniel-ld7xs]

MQGA Make Qantas Great Again LOL

[@ce244]

Outdated ? Yes it is, compared to Etihad, Emirates, Qatar and Singapore Airlines. These four KNOW what "first class" means and if QF ever wants to return to the glory days of the 90s, THIS is the standard they have to at least meet, if not, beat. Two words - TRY HARDER. If I or my company is spending the best part of 20 grand AUD on a ticket, I am prepared to pay a few more for EK, SQ or QR metal and a far better product. Don't believe just me @adambarton73, there's plenty of review videos out there, it is not a secret. Non-stop Dan, TrekTrendy etc. will tell you. QF was complacent on the Aus to LAX run for years; the MEL international business lounge "dungeon" was a joke. Only when they get competition (such as LHR and the CX business lounge, which is superb) do they up their game.

[@ce244]

Try harder. The MEL international business lounge (dungeon) is a joke, especially compared to the Cathay Lounge at LHR, let alone the EK lounges...even their DXB Business lounge is miles ahead. 4:27 what is going on re: priority boarding ? DXB is direct boarding via the lounge, no waiting at the gate with economy pax. EK, SQ, QR metal beats QF hands down in their Business and First products. Don't believe just me, there's plenty of review videos out there. 7:41 no shower though, like EK. And EK amenities in First are Bulgari, top notch, full size bottles, not some obscure or new name brand. No matter how good, established reputations win.

[@barnstar2077]

The production on these videos just keeps getting better and better!

[@CessSim]

As an avid F1 and have been following for many years, so uncanny to hear you are a fellow Perth boy. Thanks Kim for all your work !!

[@steveharrison2681]

Thanks for sharing Kym. Had a flight like that a few months ago. Perth-Hong Kong-LA-Dallas-Baton Rouge and back again a week later! 60 hours there (O/N LA), 45 hours back!

[@markbuckley4902]

Never have curly hair if you don't eat your crusts Kym. Keep up the quality work.

[@lowend5566]

I came here to say this

[@JustAdad.]

Love the travel vlogs 🥰

[@VRJacky]

Found your channel recently and I love it, even tho F1 isn't really my thing love seeing the photos you take and that you're also from Australia

[@yogagirlification]

I often fly out of Melbourne and the first class lounge is just as wonderful. What is even smoother is that they have curbside drop-off, where you are whisked straight into a check-in lounge where they look after your luggage and do security. No walking through the airport or queuing at all!

[@danielstarling4147]

Blimey that was a trek… always enjoy your travel videos Kym.

[@Lumanix1]

Wooowww Kym. Haven't seen you since back in the days when you were running Message OnHold business. Great to see you are doing well. Keep posting them review vlogs. Amazing to watch

[@robertmainerd7145]

First of all - Hi Nestor!! (Bob from Cathay) I haven't seen you for years! Second - I flew on Nancy Bird Walton only a few weeeks before the QF32 incident out of Singapore..

[@MDoherty00]

Really good video. Nice one! Cheers from Perth

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@huntingvegas]

Hi Kym, first time viewer and I just wanted to leave a comment to say I really enjoyed your review, especially your commentary and editing.

[@florisbackx1744]

Your travel video's are still by far my favorite!

[@KymIllman]

Glad you like them!

[@f1joeh]

@@KymIllman Same here, I never fail to click on your travel vlogs 😃👍

[@terryrobertson8382]

Long trip Kym, thanks for bring us along.

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure Terry

[@yogagirlification]

Btw when I fly internationally via Perth, the lounge there is amazing. It has an outdoor bbq space and a yoga studio wine glasses welcome!

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……have flown QANTAS First Class numerous times’, over many decades’. Love it! Great way to arrive at destination refreshed………

[@DeanHopster]

Running out of breath a lot mate lately in your videos, your look good, I hope your feeling good running around all the time.

[@martinhurley5131]

Fun fact Kym, the Nancy bird was flight 32, which nearly was a mid air disaster in 2010 where it left Singapore and an engine casing exploded , that flight was captained by captain de crespigny, I found this out recently as I work at the airport and got the full history or this aircraft, it went through a full refurbishment and only recency came back into service

[@noelf3127]

Good review. I agree that the middle eastern airlines are the gold standard for public airlines and the pointy end experience. Good to hear Qantas will be lifting their game and changing things in the future.

[@JJ-vy2rh]

I think SIA is the gold standard

[@stevesmitherman2981]

Always enjoy your detailed and courteous commentary Out of interest I flew to LA on QF11 and left in the morning from Sydney, has the time of departure now changed?

[@nightowldickson]

yeah departure time has changed for QF11, there's also a QF17 service that departs in the morning around 10am but it's not daily

[@JS-shim]

Kym, great video. Next time provide more info on the menu and wine offerings in flight. I think Emirates and Singapore first are much better. Qantas needs bigger thunder boxes.

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for the tip

[@michaeltorpy3366]

Hi kym greetings from Thailand when I used to go to Thailand it was always on emerites air bus 380 finest aircraft in the world haven't done long, haul for nearly 5 years only internal flights around Thailand great vid as usual stay passionate 😊😊

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for sharing

[@timkelly2901]

Excellent trip report, Thank you

[@susancapes3148]

terrific video as always

[@adventuresintandem]

Uber Black will pick you up at your terminal at LAX if you are ever in a rush.

[@KymIllman]

Yes, I saw that, but it’s about five times Price

[@lowend5566]

@@KymIllmansays the first class ticket holder

[@zaamuro8408]

​@@lowend5566well he doesn't become a regular first class flyer without not spending somewhere else...

[@74_pelicans]

​@@KymIllmanbruh you spend so much on flights but you're so tight on airport trolleys and ubers

[@mitchhifi9192]

Probably gets a lot of flights using points to upgrade, using credit cards for a business and getting points you can upgrade using points sometimes. ​@@74_pelicans

[@mattdowling2227]

Uber Black picks up from the arrivals at LAX Kym for future reference.

[@lethalee]

VH-OQA 'Nancy-Bird Walton' - Famous aircraft!!! Survived a catastrophic engine failure. A380 very well designed aircraft, lots of redundancy no issues landing. But very long road to being back in the air

[@jessicalaight4239]

Really enjoyed this video 😄

[@Zabrownfish]

I saw three Qantas A380s at Abu Dhabi Airport last month in April on my way to/from Pakistan from the US. Always wondered what they were doing there. Also have to say that flying to the US via Etihad introduced me to the longest and slowest bus ride I've ever had at an airport.

[@korylp6219]

I swear if you told me to jump I’d ask how high 😂 Great narration and happy to see the channel growing more and more!

[@KymIllman]

You're the best!

[@Hammertime4404]

Me and my partner have been on a tour of Australia the last few weeks. We must have just missed you in the Perth domestic terminal!

[@KymIllman]

I waited for you, but in the end I just had to get on my flight. Another time huh?

[@Hammertime4404]

@@KymIllman I guess that’s understandable 😉 next time I will have to venture north to Lancelin, your videos sell it well

[@alistairmills7608]

Possibly need more than one facial 😂. I know I'd need about a dozen of them. Impressed with your wrap up vlog of Q', better than I thought. Neil Perry at Sydney Q' Lounge Sydney

[@rqdtv]

Your Qantas partner AA flies LAX-MIA with Flagship® service including the Flagship lounges at both LAX and MIA. AA uses 787 and 777 aircraft for that route and they have 4 Flagship flights daily, 2 during the day and 2 red-eye. JetBlue's Mint is arguably superior but you mentioned the lack of lounge so depending on the layover duration, AA's lounge might've made for a better experience. Since AA's lounge access rules keep changing, I'm not sure if you could've gotten arrivals lounge access with your itinerary. There was a day when you could've breezed right in as an F pax on arrival even though you were departing on JetBlue.

[@AntonSostaric]

Great video as always Kim . How far out are you booking your flights? Does it vary according to the carrier ?

[@KymIllman]

Up to a year in advance

[@ian-pea]

Kim, you can get an Uber kerbside but you pay a good $100+ premium for that facility and you can prebook as I do from the UK and I message my driver once I’ve got my bags and he’s there in seconds and it’s worth it rather than waiting for LAX-IT and NO dedicated space for cases once on board - keep up the good work. Ian

[@ivanb52]

Nancy Bird was kept while a couple of younger QF A-380s were retired (mainly as a "parts store" I believe) as it essentially had fewer cycles and a "new" wing courtesy of the QF32 incident. I will always look for an A-380 option, but TBH couldn't care less what the F seat is like. The new business is good and basically matched what was already on the A330 and B787 for years, but It was a pity QF didn't touch the Y seats in their A-380 refurb. Last flight I had on a "refurb" A-380 in Y, the seat was very "tired".

[@timr6394]

travel vlogs are top. Jetblue Mint is a great option for domestic routes, and even US to UK.

[@carolinelane9599]

Thanks for sharing Kym. Oh geeze Kym that is a haul. Longest ive done out of Perth was 28hrs. Was totally delirous by time i arrived. Even in BC i struggle to sleep. Flying bores me to tears. But i must admit i always get a little excited climbing on board an Emirates A380 in BC. Just once i would love to try their FC. I just cant justify Qantas BC prices long haul.. More expensive and totally substandard product to the likes of Emirates who are normally alot cheaper. That amenties kit for FC was pretty poor. What happened to the Qantas PJ's? I really wish Qantas would give us a break and fly more A330 to the east coast. I fly to Brissy often and hate going on the 737. I miss the old 767 that use to fly that route.

[@mnewm21]

their a380s are good but there 777s are not as they are still not 1-2-1, I hear that they will now be upgrading a bunch of them though due to the late arrival of the 777x, hope they put them on the via Singapore route to Aus destinations.

[@Yrz681]

Qantas needs a whole refurb. Seats and food. Also the average business class lounge

[@rolandfrederick7389]

You sir! Are a machine!! Keep it up !!!

[@KymIllman]

Thanks, will do!

[@tristan351]

the onboard lounge is a lot more inviting than last time I travelled on a QF A380, it was previously like sitting at a bus stop.

[@KymIllman]

I remember that.

[@jasontran4031]

Solid journey

[@rowdus6186]

Spot on review of Qantas in its current state - a very meh product of an airline that is very much “going through the motions”…

[@paulsven7923]

Brilliant.....agree about Qantas

[@northshorecouple1060]

The first class food on Qantas looks business class standard on other airlines eg SQ.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@KymIllman]

Our pleasure!

[@lindadonald348]

Love your F1 content and inside insights but not fussed for this content, also first class is a luxury that should be enjoyed, try not to let familiarity breed contempt for beyond regular first world problems. For the clicks perhaps but stay humble imho. Keep going, you are a phenomenal youtuber and photographer

[@elusive-B]

Little tip for you next time you want to sleep and there happens to be a baby or small child that is being loud and restless, use the earplugs from the amenity kit also wear the noise cancelling headphones.. you'd be amazed how effective it is. 😊

[@jerryliang3225]

should try out the new jet blue mint seats when you get a chance

[@willsas5739]

Qantas has always had old planes but the they are well maintained and operated by the best pilots…

[@gillianc2895]

Was sitting in 3A for this flight with you SYD to LAX. First time I’d flown QF in ages, probably the last time after I fly LHR to SIN tomorrow. QF first product is lousy, I used to be a cheerleader for QF but not after dedicating my time and money to EK & SQ , the last few years, after a disastrous 2022 with them. Qantas just can’t justify those prices ( yes I pay for my airfares) when comparing First with these other two.

[@TonyEbikemeJr]

GOSH! Long ass travel. How early do you usually get to each track? For this trip for example would be there like a day or two early to give yourself some rest time?

[@KymIllman]

Arrived a day early.

[@TonyEbikemeJr]

@@KymIllman phew! I hope you had a good rest lol.

[@rodneyfaulkner7453]

Envy much - living the life

[@petermatthew]

Great video. Your face was glowing after that facial

[@brianl1593]

Kym Illman is either the hardest working man in show business or Australias next Dan Saunders ;-)

[@ramprasanth3343]

Would love to meet you once in perth!

[@KymIllman]

I’m really there, and when I am, I’m at the airport or on the way to or from

[@ramprasanth3343]

@@KymIllman Gotcha, big fan of your work and also the sport!

[@nezbrun872]

I quite like QF F on the A380, except that IME depending on what seat you're in, the floor creeks as pax an crew walk past, making sleep difficult. 3A is the worst for this, but it might just have been unique to that aircraft, I've avoided 3A ever since. Why is it so difficult for hotels to deal with late check ins when you'll have paid for it by way of a card guarantee and forewarned them of your late arrival? There's still this weird ten to fifteen minutes of anxiety at hotel check in at 6am off a red eye, when clearly your room's been flagged as a no show despite your efforts. Had exactly this a couple of weeks back at Haneda's T3 Royal Park hotel located inside the airport.

[@marciabigg469]

Are you flying back before Imola or straight to Italy?

[@davidchalona6494]

I was flying from Brsibane to Rockhampton, and it was full of miners. I had to ask as I had never seen anything like it.

[@racing1000]

I'm so jealous!! Hope the jetlag isn't hitting too hard.

[@KymIllman]

Took me one day to come good.

[@racing1000]

@@KymIllman Bravo. Takes me a good week, don't fly much.

[@paolofrancini1219]

Kym please tell me 🙏 Were the f1 drivers staying in the four seasons hotel in downtown Miami? If not what hotel did they stay? I really want to meet them next year

[@KymIllman]

I’m unaware, but if you look at their social media often there are clues there

[@jjjddd231]

Don't know about outdated but clearly below the standard that other airlines are setting. However on the positive side, Qantas is the safest airline in the world and the new suites in both business and first that are part of the Project Sunrise upgrade definitely look like making Qantas very competitive again.

[@KymIllman]

I hope I get a chance to travel in that new suite

[@user-em3tf3uc7h]

Hey Kym! You said that Jet Blue is one of your favorite U.S. airlines. I would like to ask If you have ever been in a Delta Airlines First class suite? I live in Atlanta which is the HQ of Delta and I only fly delta domestically, and every single time I LOVE Delta. What are your thoughts?

[@KymIllman]

I haven’t been on Delta for a long time

[@user-em3tf3uc7h]

@@KymIllman Delta in my opinion is one of my favorite airlines. I would love to see you rate them on one of your next U.S. flights(Austin or Las Vegas)

[@Andy-yl3ke]

I would have thought a one-stop trip via the Middle East would have been less hectic to get to Miami, though wouldn’t have allowed you to catch your mate in LA!

[@KymIllman]

If I was paying for it, maybe, but I got a points flight with Qantas First Class

[@Frogstomp_actual]

Uber Zone in LAX, is what Sydney needs.

[@kooldude123]

What sleeping tablets do you take? They seem to work well for you

[@merridybenton7028]

Would it had been quicker to travel from perth via doha or dubai to miami?

[@bigboy5428]

I'm so disappointed what I seen on your video today !! YOU DIDN'T EAT YOUR CRUST 1:27 !! You naughty boy,that's the best part for me. 😋 who else likes the crust ??

[@tonyreid833]

Love the Kym But this really had me triggered. I have a business in New York and I live in Melbourne and I have a business here as well so in my excessively privileged position I’m fairly familiar with Qantas first class and business class. So the first class lounge at Melbourne Airport is a disgrace. Total neglect by Qantas. It’s just about anywhere on the planet. Melbourne is just about Australia’s largest city 6,000,000+ people yet Sydney gets treated like it’s a Palace The business class lounge in Melbourne is utterly pathetic. Third World standard for international airlines. Rant over for that part The meal on Qantas in first class that you showed frankly you would return it if it was at a restaurant you were paying for I don’t know how you managed to be so polite I agree totally with you about jet blue. I fly them regularly out of LA and they have improved their game dramatically and I would encourage anybody to select Jet blue for your internal flights in the US flight attendants and great organisation. When I can I always exit out of Melbourne on emirates to Dubai stay over one night do some business and then head to New York City JFK that way I have never understood why Qantas configure their aircraft with toilets that you can’t swing a cat in On long haul flights it’s a bit of an oasis being able to refresh yourself tidy yourself with some space as you’re doing your business Qantas still has so far to go from where it once was But I understand why you support them Looking forward to the next GP F1 and your excellent

[@mark123655]

The First Class lounge in Melbourne is very similar to Sydney, with good views, just missing the wooden dividers. Agree the basement Melbourne Business Lounge is poor, but reportedly Qantas is waiting for a new upstairs space as part of terminal expansion that has been delayed. (And while Sydney's Business Lounge has better views and a slightly better layout than Melbourne, it's also very dated these days)

[@jonquills66]

yes

[@ArmaniStudio]

Kym have you ever gone to Thailand? 🇹🇭 Let’s go!!!!!!!!

[@KymIllman]

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Thailand for a holiday, maybe 25 years, but I have travelled through there on long haul flights

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

Nancy BIRD is an AUSSIE Beauty 😊❤

[@fionacrisp4185]

Surprised you didn't go Perth Dubai Miami - though not sure how much quicker it would be

[@KymIllman]

Far easier to get a points flight in First Class with QANTAS

[@iam_nick]

Yes 😢

[@WilliamWaddell-jh7mu]

Was business seats on the Qantas flight updated to 1,2,1 config ?

[@mark123655]

All flying QF A380s (and 330s and 787s) are now 1-2-1 in Business. The last A380 with the old config OQL now being refurbed in Abu Dhabi

[@vicwest5851]

SOFI stadium @9:33

[@markhampton8123]

Pretty plain looking calamari🦑🦑, perhaps a small salad would have cheered it up. Great video though. Drove through Lancelin last week on our lap of Australia!

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for your feedback

[@WhiteMisty]

Looking very fresh after that facial. While it was comfortable, I love the brutal flat honesty comparing Qantas to Emirates🤣

[@andrewstorm8240]

How do you do it? Why not overnight at LAX?

[@KymIllman]

Had to be at the track at 9 am

[@bobk4438]

LOL! Try economy coach!

[@brad30three]

How often do you fly first class?

[@KymIllman]

Not often enough

[@brad30three]

@@KymIllman you and me both.

[@Joe69420blazing]

Hello mate love the videos and I really do love them. Unfortunately the only thing that is disappointing is ….Please make sure you are disclosing advertising. As currently you are misleading your audience by not saying F42 travel as well as the odd watch brand you are comparing to Rolex and various other brands are things you love… Please ensure you are telling your impressionable audience you’re being paid to advertise these as currently you are not in your videos even though this is the law in most countries. Thank you

[@KymIllman]

Every video with an ad in it has the standard KZbin “warning” at the start. They demand it and it’s there.

[@rexbanner2953]

Blown away by the quality of Jet Blue. Always had the worst impression of US Carriers, so that was a pleasant surprise.

[@RobertMacCready]

I'm exhausted and need a nap.

[@Mandykiss4500]

Wouldn’t it been better to go Aus to Houston & then it’s only a couple of Hours to Miami?

[@KymIllman]

Would’ve got me there no earlier

[@AUmarcus]

Would've had to slum it on a United 787 instead of an a380.....Qantas doesn't fly there.

[@Mandykiss4500]

@@AUmarcusI thought Qantas did Fly there…although that was Pre Covid…

[@AUmarcus]

@@Mandykiss4500 Qantas flies to DFW daily from SYD and MEL now.

[@BaileyJames80]

Qantas use to be good. But Ek and SQ do it so much better. And you’re right Qantas is so outdated and too much cost cutting especially for what you pay these days

[@OT-io9wk]

Are lounges free for food ?

[@KymIllman]

Yes

[@smith5312]

Lucky it wasn’t a “Ghost Flight”.

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

Thank you once again for the lovely video Kym. At 12:01 regarding the rowdy child, is it me, or does this generation never discipline their children? 🎧

[@CallieMasters5000]

Outdated? Just be happy the engine didn't explode this time. See Wikipedia "Qantas Flight 32".

[@m8rk88]

The wines on offer in the lounge are cheap

[@AUmarcus]

VH-OQA....."Nancy Bird Walton"

[@tommytbone9778]

Goood seeing you again, mi gumba....Now if you had the message, one the ladies love a scruffy traveler, and 2 you`d haven`t had forgot about that 7 hrs. of alone time with a Emerates pillow....And don`t tell them Floridians The Atlantic is foreclosing on Miami, they don`t care...always passionate. yer jealous pal tbone

[@quikzMVp]

Wait…. in Australia they use our German word Muesli instead of cereals😂

[@AUmarcus]

Always have.

[@trevorfenn7213]

@@AUmarcus Rubbish, the word Muesli didn't get used for cereal until sometime in the 70s and it was used for one specific product at that time. Prior to that we all knew them as cereals. That might have changed now of course.

[@AUmarcus]

@@trevorfenn7213 Well as long as I can remember old fella.....don't be so snappy. 😆👍

[@tylerbarnes209]

Flew qantas from New Zealand to Japan yesterday. Being the plebs we are, we flew economy. By far the worst large airline long haul I have ever flown. So many budget cuts, rude staff, unorganised boarding and poor legroom have made sure we never fly them again. Air New Zealand for us from now on

[@David-vz5hg]

Does the face treatment include the top of the head 😂?

[@heinekenhenni]

Things could be worse - you could have been on Oceanic flight 815…😏

[@noelpaintonsmith8091]

I think the Quantas Lounge is Sydney is pretty pathetic. First class isn't any better than business on other airlines like United. Quantas needs to up its game. I think Quantas doesn't try very hard because it feels there isn't so much competition in Australia.