A380 Galley Refrigeration Fault

[Miksmith]

I recently flew J on QF12. I received a text implying the aircraft had a refrigeration fault and catering would be sub standard and it was, toast for breakfast. Being qualified in this area I know you basically have one moving part, the compressor and if it’s powered up all should be fine.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thus indicating a systemic problem or was I just unlucky with the substandard catering.

 

[Pushka]

I recently flew J on QF12. I received a text implying the aircraft had a refrigeration fault and catering would be sub standard and it was, toast for breakfast. Being qualified in this area I know you basically have one moving part, the compressor and if it’s powered up all should be fine.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thus indicating a systemic problem or was I just unlucky with the substandard catering.

I've read about this issue on FB pages and it seems to be a recurrent thing. Should get fixed.

 

[encryptededdy]

I mentioned it here before as well

Anyone flown QF1/2 recently?

I'm told that the fridge/chiller is broken on one of the A380s (unsure what reg exactly, I think VH-OQK), and therefore the second meal served is degraded (e.g. pastry breakfast only), and the champagne is warm.

Do you know what aircraft it was? Was it VH-OQK?

 

[Miksmith]

I mentioned it here before as well

Do you know what aircraft it was? Was it VH-OQK?

Unfortunately I don’t know the call sign. It landed in Sydney on 20 Jul. It seems to be a known fault and Qantas don’t mind changing top dollar for substandard service and imply it’s a one off fault.

 

[Mattg]

Unfortunately I don’t know the call sign. It landed in Sydney on 20 Jul. It seems to be a known fault and Qantas don’t mind changing top dollar for substandard service and imply it’s a one off fault.

If it landed on 20 July, then it would have left on the evening of 18 July - that aircraft was VH-OQB.

 

[encryptededdy]

So either my original guess was wrong, or they have multiple aircraft with broken refrigeration. Either way, it must be broken for at least 2 weeks now, if not longer. Anyone know how many refrigerators an A380 usually has? I'm somewhat surprised to hear that they can't work around this, or perhaps they're prioritising certain drinks or first class.

 

[Miksmith]

If it landed on 20 July, then it would have left on the evening of 18 July - that aircraft was VH-OQB.

Thanks Mattg obviously this looks as though it’s a fleet issue. I would like to know the details of the faulty units and the parts needed. With my background I might be able to help.

 

[Pushka]

So either my original guess was wrong, or they have multiple aircraft with broken refrigeration. Either way, it must be broken for at least 2 weeks now, if not longer. Anyone know how many refrigerators an A380 usually has? I'm somewhat surprised to hear that they can't work around this, or perhaps they're prioritising certain drinks or first class.

I've read on FB it was also on OQB. Reported as far back as June 1. QF1, QF94, QF2, - all in the last 7 weeks.

 

[encryptededdy]

I've read on FB it was also on OQB. Reported as far back as June 1. QF1, QF94, QF2, - all in the last 7 weeks.

yikes. A bad look, especially on their flagship routes.

 

[Mattg]

Out of interesting, did Qantas provide any compensation for the poor catering? (Those J fares aren't cheap...)

 

[Pushka]

Out of interesting, did Qantas provide any compensation for the poor catering? (Those J fares aren't cheap...)

Nothing apparently.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Maybe worth an inquiry at Qantas by AFF and a little but prominently placed article?

 

[Mattg]

Maybe worth an inquiry at Qantas by AFF and a little but prominently placed article?

AFF did cover the failure to provide compensation when no catering was provided on many flights over Easter last year.

No Compensation for Qantas Catering Failures

Many Qantas customers have not received any compensation after they didn't receive food as advertised on their flights. To make matters worse, one

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Sounds like not much has changed since then

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Wasn't there a problem with the fridge on another of their 380s, as mentioned on here a few days ago?

 

[cpatters]

I was on OQE (now scrapped) a few years ago LAX-MEL and the same issue occurred so it could be a fleet issue.

 

[UP4014]

While needs to be fixed of course, sounds like an ‘Airbus design’ fault if recurring. Part supply defect or part design, now production of the aircraft has ceased just throw up the hands and point elsewhere.

I’d try and list the number of this type of failure on your aircraft as best you can find and send in a complaint as someone pointed out other dates. Copying here as well for good measure.

 

[otchi]

Had the same issue on 6th June QF1 VH-OQK got a text and email from QF regarding the problem. Friend travelled a few days before on 3rd June QF1 VH-OQB got the same email. Seems to be an ongoing issue with the A380 fleet.

 

[jrfsp]

Why not do away with catering all together....seems to be more of an inconvenience to QF

 

[SeatBackForward]

Why not do away with catering all together....seems to be more of an inconvenience to QF

As are passengers, flight crew, baggage handlers...and aircraft.

 

[Austman]

Off topic, but I found out the other month that none of the 737s has refrigerated onboard catering.

It means that for double catered flights, as many of the QFi 737 flights are, only the outboard flight will have food that needs to be refrigerated.

So eg a salad based main might be available on the outbound flight but it won’t be available on the inbound flight.