Qantas International Long Haul Review: QF11 SYD to LAX on an A380- in First class
- Maestro Global Travel
- Aug 18
- 7 min read
What an absolute treat, and yet another new way of flying to the US. Of course my preference up until now has been via Fiji with Fiji Airways Business class offering, however who can look past a First class experience - and that it was. I certainly think this loooong direct flight is far more worth it now, especially to surprisingly arrive so refreshed and ready to go in the US.
Check In Experience
At Sydney International Airport, Qantas has a dedicated First Class check in, right next to the normal check in area, it just gets your journey starting off on the right foot. As we were travelling to the US, we were asked all the usual questions, received a sticker in our passports, and received our boarding pass. The check in agent even asked to make sure the lounge had reached out to ask about spa treatments - of which they had the day prior via email, we just hadn’t yet booked in. She advised it should be the first thing we do once in the lounge. Next, we were off through security and auto-immigration gates. There is a discarded line for first and business class, however it didn’t feel to move much, if at all quicker than just using the ordinary lanes.
Lounge Access
Once the legalities were out of the way, we made our way up the escalator and headed for the First Class Lounge. Qantas’ lounges are neatly tucked away in a mezzanine above the shopping area, with entrance to First Class here, however once inside there’s another escalator leading up to the top floor, of which the entire lounge completely covers. Living up to its name, Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney is certainly one of the most luxurious in the world, and easily the best in Australia.
Once up the snake of escalators, we were greeted by two lovely team at the front desk, who promptly booked our spa treatments, continently we could have appointments at the same time. I choose to have a Lift Off - a facial elevation consisting of a double crease, exfoliation, mask application and finishing with a peptide and vitamin serum. Ethan opted for a Baggage Drop - which consisted of a neck, shoulder and head massage. We had a few hours in the lounge to enjoy prior to our treatments.
Next, we were led by the hostess to the far end, right by the spa, and were seated to Al a Carte lunch dining. The Qantas First Lounge boasts and incredible menu, including plant-based and allergen friendly items. Al a Carte dining is the only dining option here, no buffet unlike other lounges, and it’s for the better. It maintains the vibe of the lounge, as inviting, warm and relaxing rather than busy and chaotic that others can feel like.
We enjoyed an amazing 3 course dining experience, Ethan of course opting for the signature Salt and Pepper Squid with Green Chilli Dipping Sauce, shortly followed by a serving of Grilled Lamb Shoulder. I love that the menu here is seasonal and changes frequently, keeping some of the staples and favourites by cycling through new options. It keeps the lounge experience from becoming boring, once you’ve travelled a few times. With allergies, I enjoyed a Mixed Leaf Salad with Neil Perry’s famous Palm Sugar Vingarette, followed by Baked Moroccan Eggplant with a spiced capsicum sauce. Dessert for me, was a simple fruit plate, whilst Ethan indulged in Qantas’ Signature Pavlova Parfait, of which a second serving may have been enjoyed later too…
After such an amazing start to our lounge experience, we moved over to the seating area to be more comfortable, get some work done, and do some plane spotting. It would be rude to go last some signature drinks too. Here we enjoyed a House Lemonade and Qantas Honey Fizz. The House Lemonade was definite a favourite.
Boarding
Our boarding was slightly delayed but still offered a seamless experience. Because of the delay, we could have stayed in the lounge a little longer, however eager to discover the seat that awaits, we moved down to the gates when the board clicked over to “Go to gate”. This is when we discovered our fatal mistake and just had to hang at the gate for a bit prior to boarding. About 20 minutes later we were ready to go and made our way through the front doors to the lower deck of the A380, into the beautifully appointed First Class cabin.
Seated in 1A & 2A, we were quickly met by our cabin attendant, Aaron, and one by one introduced to the rest of the cabin team; Hugh, Sophie and Sarah. If you’re ever lucky enough to fly with Aaron, you’re not only flying with one of the most attentive people I’ve ever met, but also over 25 years of flying experience. An absolute delight.
Seats & Ammenities
This seat is overly luxurious. Expansively wide, reclining into a fully flat bed with additional length added by the jump seat in every suite. Built in massage functions with 4 presets that are customisable. This seat also moves on a swivel to be front facing, or window facing. All of these options found in the in-seat tablet.
The suite itself also has a jump seat directly opposite, for partner dining, chatting with a friend, and extending the length of the bed. There is also a small tray table directly opposite the seat, for a drink and some snacks, also perfect as a small nightstand when ready to sleep.
Directly underneath is the seat pocket with various reading material, and underneath again is a universal power outlet and a USB-A port. Moving across the suite, under the suite controls tablet is a handheld remote, and huge tray table compartment.
Atop the bench is a cup holder and small shelf, big enough for a bag, tablet, or teapot and serving tray. Underneath, 2 swivel storage compartments, one with Qantas headphones, and the other empty for your use. Underneath these compartments is also a nice spot to store shoes.
Once on board, having met the crew, and settled in, Aaron came to offer us pyjamas and ask our sizing. I was enjoying our pre-take off drinks in the jump seat of 1A, so came back to find my goodies neatly waiting for me. We received a set of first pyjamas, and business pyjamas at our request, as well as an amenity kit with standard socks, eye mask, and small toiletries. I found the lavatories to be well stocked with additional amenities including roll on deodorant, toothbrush kits, cotton tips, and feminine hygiene products. The lavatories also stocked LUE hand wash, micellar cleansing gel and body lotion.
Come turn down time, the seat was donned with a super plush mattress topper, at least 50mm thick, along with Sheridan linens, including 2 fluffy pillows, one larger for sitting up and one smaller for sleeping. Also a thick Sheridan quilt and pastel yellow cover blanket too. This made for an incredibly easy sleep experience. Often I’m so cold on planes (just cold in general!) but this bedding paired with Qantas First pyjamas, made for not only a restful sleep, but I was actually quiet warm and didn’t need the additional yellow blanket.
In-Flight catering
First Class catering is exactly that, first class. Once we boarded, as we were travelling as couple and I was in the jump seat of 1A, Sophie came to great us and asked if we knew about partner dining - of course! It is what I was most looking forward to for this flight. They made arrangements for our meal service to be served in 1A alone, allowing us to dine together.
The table setting was impeccably presented, from tableware to condiments, it felt like our dining experience at Tour de Argent in Paris.
We started with an amuse bushe of a caviar cream cup and beef stick for Ethan and eggplant ragout and kafir like leaf for me. We were offered warm bread galore, with a choice of toasted garlic loaf, sourdough, or seeded bread. This was served deliciously with butter, oil, vinegar and salt.
Next came our starters, Ethan opted for a steak sandwich, chased with a beef fillet steak - “the protein experience” as Aaron aptly called it. For me, a cous cous and zucchini salad with pomegranate, followed by a steamed tofu and shanghai mushroom noodle dish.
Dessert was offered but later declined, as we’d already enjoyed so much great food amongst the lounge and now this dining experience. Aaron insisted on some chocolates, recommending a chocolate truffle and salted caramel, his favourite - Ethan’s new favourite too.
Partner dining is an absolute must if you’re travelling in a couple.
Arrival
I often dread the arrival into LAX, as I'm sure pretty much every other non-US citizen does too. Thankfully this trip was a breeze with Mobile Passport Control, as we had everything lined up and ready to go, and could walk straight into a shorter queue, and clear immigration in about 20 minutes. A huge improvement on the over 3 hours I've previously experienced, as have some of my travellers - it's too stressful to start a journey this way!
Overall
I think we were very lucky to experience this product in the midst of new offering introduction. We learned throughout the flight that on board were some big wigs assessing the service and new offerings. We were also asked to complete a survey focused on the dining experience, of which I cannot fault at all.
The lounge in Sydney was sac exceptional as it is decribed to be. From faultless service, to just a relaxed atmosphere that made that limbo time in the airport so much more pleasant. Absolutely would be back in a heartbeat, just maybe trading this A380 route for a slightly more exotic destination - (we were originally booked in Jan 2025 for South Africa but had to cancel last minute)
Other helpful bits...
Menus! Surely I'm not the only one that wants to know what to expect ahead of time. The Al a Carte menu at this lounge is ever changing, and changes seasonally, however the spa menu remains somewhat constant.
Qantas First Class Sydney to Los Angeles in-flight dining menu August 2025 - SYD LAX QF
Qantas First Class Sydney Lounge Spa Menu
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