Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[TomJones]

Fingers crossed for an NP all-stars livery - Party Pies, Big Bowl of Pea Soup, Steak Sandwich, S&P Squid..

Don't forget the garden salad! Perfect to feed to the rabbits at home.

 

[Forg]

I can't find any info on the next 3 refurbed aircraft that're allegedly to be in service by the end of this year … anyone know what their registrations are & when they're in use?

 

[levelnine]

I can't find any info on the next 3 refurbed aircraft that're allegedly to be in service by the end of this year … anyone know what their registrations are & when they're in use?

Only one aircraft has been refurbed so far: VH-OQK.

 

[Forg]

Only one aircraft has been refurbed so far: VH-OQK.

Indeed, but according to more than one article which popped-up on my Google SPAM-feed a few months back it was supposed to be joined by another 3 by the end of the year. I've just tried searching for info, but didn't find anything about whether there's a timetable for them to come into service or what their registrations are.

 

[levelnine]

didn't find anything about whether there's a timetable for them to come into service

That's because one doesn't publicly exist.

There is, I think, another A380 currently undergoing refurbishment at the moment, but I don't know the registration number. Someone else might.

 

[Brettmcg]

That's because one doesn't publicly exist.

There is, I think, another A380 currently undergoing refurbishment at the moment, but I don't know the registration number. Someone else might.

I have seen the internal list, but can't remember the exact order now. I do remember that Nancy-Bird Walton (VH-OQA) is last to be refurbed.

VH-OQL is the bird currently in refurbishment at DRS.

 

[p--and--t]

I can't find any info on the next 3 refurbed aircraft that're allegedly to be in service by the end of this year … anyone know what their registrations are & when they're in use?

From what Iv'e read:

The first one is back in service (OQK)
A second is in being refurbed right now (OQL?)
Allegedly they are estimated to takes 6-8 weeks including a major (C?) service
With that timing and no hiccups, although very tight, would give just enough time for one more to go in and be finished by around end of year/early Jan.

 

[pjm99au]

Currently sitting in F on the refurbed A380 having traveled F to Sin on an unrefurbed QF1 on Wednesday

There are some noticeable changes but they are mainly cosmetic. The screen is a bit larger. Here are the comparison shots with the original screen first



the suite control tablet is the same one recycled and all of the cabinetry where the dinner table is is the same. The shrouds around the seat have been reclad in a light grey panel.

The seat and armrests have been recovered in a similar fabric to the original. The seats feel firmer.

All in all a very light refresh.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Swings and roundabouts. Looks like a big leap forward in the J cabin, and a similar leap backwards in Y+, with no significant change in either cabin downstairs...

Cheers skip

 

[DC3]

... There are some noticeable changes but they are mainly cosmetic ...

From the photos, I would struggle to notice those changes. Won’t get a chance to compare until after 2020 I expect.

 

[moa999]

I thought they could have gone bigger with the screens.. but HD is an improvement.

Every surface is actually replaced. If you look closely all the edge surfaces are now black, and it's now more of a black/white/grey theme rather than brown/fawn

 

[levelnine]

That 'refurbished' screen still has larger bezels than the original iPhone LOL.

 

[jb747]

Interesting....around the time that I retired, QF paid the money to have the maximum take off weight increased to 572 tonnes (from 569). So, that's very slightly more range, or payload. But, a little bird tells me that K has come back 3 tonnes heavier. So that will absorb the MTOW increase, and also slightly increase the burn. End result would be a reduction in range and payload!

 

[Ansett]

But all that should still result in better financials given the higher percentage of premium seating versus Y seating one would think.

 

[moa999]

VH-OQL out of DRS after only 3 weeks. Posts elsewhere had suggested maintenance only for OQL, and OQH would be the next refurb. OQH has positioned to DRS.

Seatmap for today's QF2 SIN-SYD which will be operated by OQL still shows 2x2x2

 

[mitti]

Still no trip report on the refurbed A380 floating around?

 

[kermatu]

Just my opinion but would seem there’s very little new in the refurb to report on. The J seats are a great upgrade but they’ve been around in other guises for years now so not new. I guess the lounge is different.

F is such a light refresh and real lost opportunity to keep up with competitors and/or foreshadow what might be offered in future on the project sunrise flights. To be fair, it’s QF’s soft product that needs an overhaul in F, not so much the hard.

 

[moa999]

Not seen one. But it's really no different to the 787 as Kermatu mentions.

With Sunrise I suspect a new F product, and wouldn't be surprised if the F sections gets replaced with Y or possibly a Y+ on some/all the A380, as I suspect the direct flight will take much of the premium demand to LHR and JFK

 

[JessicaTam]

QF need to check the interns' work for accuracy!

There will be two lounges on the upper level that houses the First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy seats, with a design focus on sociability and relaxation. Offering cosy olive-green nooks based on ‘café-style’ seating and soft LED lighting for more intimate, soothing in-flight experience.

 

[mviy]

With Sunrise I suspect a new F product, and wouldn't be surprised if the F sections gets replaced with Y or possibly a Y+ on some/all the A380, as I suspect the direct flight will take much of the premium demand to LHR and JFK

Or it could get replaced with Business seating like what happened on most of the 747 aircraft, or they could sell the F seats as J where they don't anticipate sufficient demand for F.

The A380 currently get rotated through all the routes, so if they remove F seats on some it then becomes more difficult to offer F on any of the flights. That's probably the strongest case to just keep the F seats.