Qantas First Ascends: The New Standard in In-Flight Rest and Refinement

Luxury air travel is changing, and Qantas is positioning itself at the forefront of that shift. With a refreshed First Class experience rolling out across its international A380 fleet, the airline is placing renewed emphasis on wellness, sleep and comfort—reflecting evolving customer expectations and laying the groundwork for its future ultra long-haul ambitions.

The enhanced First Class offering will be introduced progressively through mid-2026 and is already available on select routes including Australia to London, Los Angeles, Singapore, Dallas and Johannesburg. It forms part of a broader strategy to elevate the premium experience as Qantas prepares for Project Sunrise, which will see nonstop flights connecting Australia with destinations such as New York and London.

Central to the refresh is a new partnership with Australian skincare brand Aesop. The Aesop Qantas In-Flight Essentials amenity kit reimagines the traditional airline amenity as a premium, retail-inspired wellness product. Co-designed by Qantas and Aesop and developed by Watermark, the kit reflects both brands’ shared focus on quality, design and longevity.

The amenity kit is presented in a minimalist bag inspired by Aesop’s signature aesthetic and will be released in three colourways throughout the year. Each design includes a travel-inspired quote intended to encourage reuse, reinforcing Qantas’ focus on thoughtful, considered luxury.

Inside, First Class customers receive a curated selection of Aesop products, all made in Australia and offered in full retail sizes, alongside two additional samples. The range includes Resurrection Rinse-free Hand Wash, Resurrection Hand Balm, Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve, Toothpaste Dentifrice and an eau de parfum. In total, the cosmetic offering represents a 252 per cent increase in product volume compared with Qantas’ previous First Class amenity kit.

Additional inclusions -such as a blackout eye mask, 3M earplugs and a reusable bamboo toothbrush – are designed to support rest and comfort during long-haul travel. Together, the elements address hydration, hygiene and sensory fatigue, which are increasingly important considerations for premium passengers on extended flights.

Qantas has also introduced new First Class sleepwear as part of the refresh. Custom-designed in understated navy tones and paired with loafer-style slippers, the sleepwear prioritises comfort and functionality over overt branding, aligning with broader trends toward quieter expressions of luxury.

“Our customers fly First because they value quality in every detail,” says Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace. “On longer flights, premium amenities and complete comfort really matter. This refresh reflects our focus on sleep, wellbeing and thoughtful design.”

As competition intensifies at the premium end of the market, Qantas’ renewed First Class experience underscores the airline’s intent to differentiate through wellbeing and restoration—positioning rest, rather than excess, as the defining feature of modern luxury travel.