80,000 Points for Qantas First Class from London to Sydney… But Is It Worth It?

You don’t fly Qantas First Class for the flash; you fly it for the feeling. There’s no gold-plated bling like Emirates, no closing doors or onboard showers. But what you do get is something rarer: space, silence, and the kind of service that makes you feel like the only person onboard. That, and a fillet steak that could go head-to-head with most five-star hotel kitchens… at least for half the journey.

Heathrow Terminal 3 isn’t exactly the most inspiring place to begin a first-class journey, but Qantas’ premium service team quickly lifts the experience. Courtney, an absolute pro, welcomed me at check-in, handled a torn shopping bag situation (saving my M&S tea and chocolates from public embarrassment), and arranged a personal escort through Singapore to skip the usual chaos.

The Qantas First Lounge at Heathrow is hands down the best Oneworld option in the terminal. It’s spacious, much bigger than you’d expect, and while the à la carte menu is tighter than Sydney’s, all the favourites are there, including Neil Perry’s iconic salt and pepper squid. Camden Pale Ale and Camden Hells Lager are on tap, and there’s Bollinger Champagne paired with warm nuts and olives. It’s not quite the ultra-polish of Singapore Airlines’ lounges, but it’s close and miles ahead of the Business lounges.

Despite its size, the lounge can fill up when Platinum frequent flyers start filing in for the economy schlep, but seating for First passengers is reserved, so you’ll always find a quiet spot.

Boarding was swift and discreet. The A380 is the only aircraft in Qantas’ fleet to offer First Class, and you immediately feel the difference stepping on board. With only 15 seats in the cabin, it’s quiet, intimate, and immaculately serviced.

Each suite is spacious, easily double the footprint of a Business Suite, with a large LCD screen, endless storage compartments, and a generous dining table that makes mid-air meetings a reality. There’s even a loveseat for anyone planning to chat or dine with a companion at 40,000 feet.

While the layout isn’t the traditional odds-and-evens herringbone, it works. It’s not the most private First product in the sky (don’t expect QSuite levels of seclusion), but it’s comparable to Singapore Airlines First. Privacy screens help if you’re in the centre seats, which I copped on the second leg.

The black PJs and matching slippers are elite. The sleeper kit is a noticeable step up from Business. Everything just feels a little bit more considered. And then there’s the crew…

The crew on this leg were incredible. Young, switched on, super attentive, and genuinely cool. You get the sense the future of Qantas is alive and well in First Class. Nick, who looked after me, was a f**king legend. He anticipated everything, from topping up drinks to setting up meals, and never missed a beat. At one point, it felt like there were more crew than passengers. Not a complaint.

Dinner on the London to Singapore leg was superb. A fillet steak cooked just right, paired with a 2019 South Australian Shiraz. There’s even an onboard chef preparing meals for First Class passengers. The soup? So elite I forgot to take a photo. Breakfast? Pancakes and bircher muesli. I didn’t need it, but I couldn’t say no.

But here’s the thing. Qantas sold off its catering arm a few years back, so the food quality varies by hub. There’s no consistent global supplier for First Class, so it can be a bit hit or miss. Case in point, the final leg into Sydney was rough. Grouper that was tougher than an old boot. And let’s be honest, if you’re paying $20,000 for a return ticket (not that I was), that’s just not cricket.

This is where Qantas First really pulls away from Business. The bedding is excellent. Thick mattress topper, proper pillows, a heavy double blanket.

Old mate, Nick took five minutes to make the bed while I slipped into my PJs, and when I came back, it looked like something out of a boutique hotel. I was snoring not long after, a few glasses of wine and Bollinger in, headphones still on. Good night, Irene.

Everything in the suite is controlled via a touchscreen remote. It’s responsive enough but maybe less intuitive than Emirates’ ICE system.

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The screen’s big, bright and perfect for zoning out, but the lack of Wi-Fi is a real issue. For a flagship product, Qantas is still behind the eight ball. No internet in First Class in 2025? C’mon, mate.

Landing in Singapore, you’re met by a personal concierge, Ryan in my case, who guides you straight to the Qantas First Lounge, books you in for a shower, and seats you in a private dining area. The menu is Singapore-inspired with some Neil Perry staples thrown in (yes, the squid again). Ryan gave me the full rundown on how to skip queues, what routes offer the best shot at a First upgrade, and reassured me boarding hadn’t started yet, so I could properly chill. Class.

Qantas First on the A380 delivers on the things that matter most: space, service, sleep, and that unmistakable Aussie charm. It’s not the flashiest product in the sky, but it’s real, comfortable, and at its best, luxurious. The lack of Wi-Fi and inconsistent catering let it down slightly, but when you’ve got legends like Courtney, Nick, and Ryan looking after you, those rough edges get smoothed out pretty quickly.

Qantas First might just be the airline’s best-kept secret. You just have to catch it on a good day.