Are Qantas A380's still grounded?

[serfty]

FWIW, I do related work for Qantas and am happy to fly in their airbii ...

 

[straitman]

Don't you watch the news on the incidents lately..ALL AIR BUSES:idea:

ali62,

As a commercial pilot who has many friends who pilot Airbus aircraft without reservation, I must ask you the same questions as simongr & serfty.

FWIW, I do related work for Qantas and am happy to fly their airbuses ...

Out of interest does your husband actually know anything about appropriate maintenance of aircraft that would lead to a critical assessment of the air worthiness of Airbuses? Or is it just mindless speculation based on a small number of media reports?

Maybe you should read the NTSB & ATSB reports as there are a lot of Boeing incidents as well.

It is all a part of aviation where every component is built to be as robust as possible whilst being as light as possible. As these are at odds with each other we have the situation where things go wrong and when they do the spotlight shines brightly. If motor vehicle manufacturers had to endure the same type of scrutiny then very few if any of the current vehicles on the road would be there.

 

[mannej]

Don't you watch the news on the incidents lately..ALL AIR BUSES:idea:

And the news is an unbiased source (much like news.com.au)

Now that is a pretty big assumption to make:idea:

 

[Commuter]

My spouse and I spend a lot of time every month on Airbuses and we have no particular concerns about the aircraft itself.

 

[dede]

Well it looks like my A380 QF31 from SYD to LHR on Sun 15 Nov has been cancelled and I've been put on QF5 and QF9. Oh well, at least the return QF32 is still showing up.

 

[oz_mark]

Well it looks like my A380 QF31 from SYD to LHR on Sun 15 Nov has been cancelled and I've been put on QF5 and QF9. Oh well, at least the return QF32 is still showing up.

There's a smattering of cancellations of QF31/32 from the timetable late this year/early next year. Seems to be one a week or so (some weeks none, other weeks two missing), but the day of the week that has been cancelled seems a bit variable.

 

[Evan]

I have no concerns at all flying either the A320's, A330's or A380.
I believe they are as safe as any Boeing also, incidents happen on both all the time thats just life.

On a side note the A380 First is amazing.... unless you want to talk to a traveling partner. Pity the crews seem a bit green.... a bit too eager to please maybe, i don't know but still a nice ride

 

[JohnK]

FWIW, I do related work for Qantas and am happy to fly their airbuses ...

I did not know you were qualified to fly an airbus!

Seriously for someone who said they would not travel on an A380 for at least 2-3 years you seem to have been converted very easily. My first flight on an A380 is not scheduled until Boxing Day but I am still having second thoughts. Who knows I may fall in love with the A380 the same way I fell in love with the B747....

 

[notzac]

My first flight on an A380 is not scheduled until Boxing Day but I am still having second thoughts. Who knows I may fall in love with the A380 the same way I fell in love with the B747....

John - especially if you're flying in Y, I think the differences are very noticable (and in a positive way). Better seating, better IFE, better cabin pressure and significantly quieter than as compared to a B747. If given an option between the two (and if seated in the same cabin for both), I'll pick the A380 every time.

 

[drron]

Don't you watch the news on the incidents lately..ALL AIR BUSES:idea:

So now he wont fly the QF B737s?
Hasnt yet appeared on news.com.au but a Southwest 737 peeled open over night causing depressurisation.
Aero-News Network: The Aviation and Aerospace World's Daily/Real-Time News and Information Service&

 

[serfty]

... Seriously for someone who said they would not travel on an A380 for at least 2-3 years you seem to have been converted very easily. ...

It only took one flight!*

John - especially if you're flying in Y, I think the differences are very noticable (and in a positive way). Better seating, better IFE, better cabin pressure and significantly quieter than as compared to a B747. If given an option between the two (and if seated in the same cabin for both), I'll pick the A380 every time.

I could hardly have put it better myself.

Certainly the differences are significant enough for me to overcome any slight issue I may have previously had.

*My 744 flight was changed to be operated by a 388 at ~5 weeks notice. I had little choice as dates were set and it would have cost too much to change.

 

[JohnK]

John - especially if you're flying in Y, I think the differences are very noticable (and in a positive way). Better seating, better IFE, better cabin pressure and significantly quieter than as compared to a B747. If given an option between the two (and if seated in the same cabin for both), I'll pick the A380 every time.

It will be in WHY on the upper deck of the SQ A380. It could be a few years at least before I travel on a QF A380.

 

[simongr]

It will be in WHY on the upper deck of the SQ A380. It could be a few years at least before I travel on a QF A380.

Why is that JohnK? Is this a problem with QF or with the QF A380?

 

[JohnK]

Why is that JohnK? Is this a problem with QF or with the QF A380?

It is to do with recent discussion on Qantas diluting the benefits of status. I will be using Amex MR points with SQ and VS and only fly QF if I want to redeem a Oneworld award or they have extremely tempting airfares. I have enough Amex MR points for at least 7 return flights SYD-BKK/HKG so do not see how I can fit any QF travel on the A380 in the foreseeable future....

 

[lovestotravel]

I have a friend fairly high up in the maintenance department at QF. I would have NO hesitation flying the A380 or any other Qantas plane nor any Airbus plane operated by reputable airlines.

 

[dede]

The way I look at it is this - I'm probably more likely to get hit by a bus than perish in one of them new fangled aerioplane contraptions!

No airline accident will stop me flying with Qantas or any other reputable airline. I love my travel too much.

 

[Evan]

So now he wont fly the QF B737s?
Hasnt yet appeared on news.com.au but a Southwest 737 peeled open over night causing depressurisation.
Aero-News Network: The Aviation and Aerospace World's Daily/Real-Time News and Information Service&

And the not often reported Tupolov's etc like in Iran today or yesterday.
But why do people forget so easily in the last 2 years that there has been 2 almost major Boeing problems for QF, being the o2 bottle out the side and also the short circuit where most power was lost into BKK.

Go Airbus i say

 

[bodog]

Travelled on the QF12 A380 flight ex LAX in economy today and have to say the finish quality on it left a lot to be desired. The white plastic covering on the interior is peeling in toilets and there's quite a few scrapes on bulkheads from trolley's hitting them. The sinks in two of the toilets didn't drain as the plug lifter button didn't work.

One flight attendant I was discussing this with when leaving pointed out that a high percentage of the overhead locker catches were already broken - she said that some staff called them the Hyundai's of the air - I likened them more to "project homes" where low cost fittings were often used.

Anyone else notice the premature aging of the A380 interior?

We can only hope it's only the fit out that they skimped on!

 

[Commuter]

One flight attendant I was discussing this with when leaving pointed out that a high percentage of the overhead locker catches were already broken - she said that some staff called them the Hyundai's of the air - I likened them more to "project homes" where low cost fittings were often used.

Could be an over-aggressive attempt at saving weight.

 

[Evan]

Also don't forget interiors are spec'ed by the airline not the producer of the aircraft, they are just installed by airbus. Well thats sort of how it works anyway but my point is its probably not Airbus's fault.