2017 A380 First Class Suites and Business Class pics and reviews

[StarG]

So early last month I made a trip to SYD to try the new A380 products. Couldn't do the inaugural since I was in the middle of our family vacation elsewhere.

After a few chasers from MAN Flyer, I finally have a chance to sit down, choose, edit some, and now post these pictures I took to share with you guys.
Hopefully they can help those planning their trips on this new A380 type.

My apologies in advance - all pictures were taken with my iPhone so the quality might not be professional enough for some.
Also, pictures are not posted in any order - they were combined from both my flights SIN-SYD and SYD-SIN.

Let me start with some random general pictures from the trip now...

Boarding ex-SIN. I think boarding for Suites passengers can be much better. Priority line can be quite long sometimes, and they don't pull out Suites passengers from the line like they do on some other airlines.
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Arriving SYD


Plane view from the gate on arrival in SYD



Another SQ flight departing SYD earlier that day - I think it was a 77W

[StarG]

Watching 9V-SKU being towed to the gate for my flight - view from the SKL SYD




Another A380 being towed around SYD airport for another flight


Gate view at SYD from Suite 1A


Departing SYD


Pause and smell the clouds


Another random window view mid-flight

[StarG]

FIRST CLASS

Gate view from Suite 1A


Single aisle in First Class - Backwards view


Forward view


Welcome onboard


First Class Suite 1A



Side table


Plenty of storage spaces




Seat controls

[StarG]

Forward stairway



Carpet patterns


Suite 1A - where the bed would be at



More pics of Suite 1A





Credenza in Suite 1A

[StarG]

Suite 1F










Window view from 1F


Can't really see the engines from 1K


Suite 1A as viewed from 1F

[StarG]

Suite 1A - bed mode





Adjustable bed - not available on Etihad IIRC


Catching on my favorite sitcom 'Fresh Off The Boat'


Very cool features on the control tablet



Docking station for control tablet


In-suite magazine rack


Plenty of space for my carry-on. My Rimowa is the thicker version of the Topaz international carryon.

[StarG]

Semi private Suite door


IFE controls in First Class


First Class Suite 1F main entertainment screen



Additional monitor for Suites 1A/1K for take-off/landing seat mode


When facing forward, you can place the control tablet on this stand on the credenza


Light fixtures in First Class


Charging and payment station


Another charging outlet on credenza

[StarG]

66666No more 'Suites' from now on. It is 'First Class'!


New style SQ caviar service with blinis and crème fraiche


Quite a yummy main course SIN-SYD


Drink of choice SYD-SIN


Lunch menu SYD-SIN


On SYD-SIN flight, they catered Melba toast for me (in addition to blinis on the menu) because of my feedback about the taste of the blinis on the previous flight. Talk about a responsive action to customer's comments!


Caviar portions seems to have been more generous lately


Lobster appetizer SYD-SIN


Another yummy (beef) main from SYD-SIN


A slight setback on privacy

[StarG]

The bigger (right side) lavatory



Toiletries rack in First Class lavatory

[StarG]

BUSINESS CLASS

Overall Business cabin




The Business Class seat (window side)









Seat controls

[StarG]

Two of the center bulkhead seat sets



One of the window bulkhead seats


Normal middle seats



Footwells - I feel that the footwell of window seats is slightly more spacious (taller) when compared to that of the middle seats.
Window seat footwell




Middle seat footwell

[StarG]

Storage space (under the seat in front)

[StarG]

Some observations:

- The new First Class Suites are indeed a good step up from the last version. It is not really a very innovative one though - more like an improved version of Etihad's Apartment concept.
- Suites 1A/1K seems to be the best in my opinion, given the shape. It seems to be the most spacious as well. Having said that, I did not try any of the other Suites as they were all occupied on both of my flights.
- Loved the huge restrooms of First Class (even though the ceiling can be too low for taller passengers.
- The First Class swivel seat felt a bit unstable and rattled to all directions during turbulence (as opposed to normal fixed airplane seats which are only affected to certain directions only) so the sensation is not a good one during those times.
- Bed seat belt was too tight and tightened even more as you twist or turn on the bed.
- The design of the pyjamas are much nicer than the previous version, although I do not see the value of 'Lalique' branding on these PJs. Lalique is well known for crystal items. Not relevant. I'd rather they use a slightly better material rather than brand it with an irrelevant luxury brand.
- Caviar servings were more generous but taste of blinis should be reworked. My blinis ex-SIN broke apart quite easily, I don't think that is supposed to be the texture.
- Crew members were excellent as usual, eager to please and definitely not robotic.
- I did not get the chance to try the bulkhead seats in Business Class, but they seem to have less generous setup than 2006 / 2013 J class bulkheads. In this version of Business Class, you have cubby holes even for bulkhead seats. I suspect that not all bulkheads are created equally for this plane though. Hopefully someone can share some inputs on which is the best bulkhead seats in Business Class.
- I would definitely choose a window seat when travelling in Business Class on this aircraft. The foot cubby hole seems slightly larger, and I like having fixed ottoman rather than a stowaway one.

[MAN Flyer]

After a few chasers from MAN Flyer,

I wouldn't have chased if you hadn't said you would do it.

[StarG]

All pictures uploaded and comments added in post #13.