Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[Rangalad]

Qantas have updated their seat maps with the new additions. So 1/4 of the fleet done!

QF001/12JAN showing the new config.
Hope there isn’t an aircraft swap.

 

[TheMoose]

Booked on QF11 Saturday 21/12. Judging by todays 11/93 both being operated by refurb’s, chances of a refurbed airframe are slim. Would anyone know what’s scheduled to operated this flight - I have business but would have loved to tryout the new business suites. Also, any news on what sectors initially slated for OQG once its back on revenue service? Thanks

 

[milehighclub]

Booked on QF11 Saturday 21/12. Judging by todays 11/93 both being operated by refurb’s, chances of a refurbed airframe are slim. Would anyone know what’s scheduled to operated this flight - I have business but would have loved to tryout the new business suites. Also, any news on what sectors initially slated for OQG once its back on revenue service? Thanks

OQG and OQK are the ones back in service. OQG is currently operating QF94 then QF35 (which will also mean then QF36 and QF93) and OQK is currently operating QF93 then QF12.

OQH had an initial departure of the 17th from DRS. It is now showing as today (19th) and due to depart in 12 hours. Once it is airborne, I can see where it will go next but OQL is scheduled to operate QF11 Saturday.

Also QF127/QF128 becomes an A380 as of today, so thats another destination in the mix.

 

[KSC]

Has anyone experienced how often the bar area is used on the refurbed a380’s ?
Wanting to know noise levels.

 

[milehighclub]

OQH is going to be operating QF17 tomorrow.

 

[moa999]

VH-OQH enroute back to Sydney as QF6016. Seemingly direct with 18hr 15m flight time

VH-OQH Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track VH-OQH flight from Melbourne Tullamarine to Los Angeles Intl

flightaware.com

 

[TheMoose]

Checked in for QF11 tomorrow (Sat), but boarding passes not printable with “print at airport when bags dropped”.change of equip to refurb perhaps?

 

[milehighclub]

Checked in for QF11 tomorrow (Sat), but boarding passes not printable with “print at airport when bags dropped”.change of equip to refurb perhaps?

QF11 is OQL tomorrow still.

 

[Spizz]

Flying QF93 Christmas day and the seatmap for the seat selection is still showing the old 2 2 2 config in
Business. Does that mean the chances of the refurb being on this flight is slim?

 

[calmelb]

Flying QF93 Christmas day and the seatmap for the seat selection is still showing the old 2 2 2 config in
Business. Does that mean the chances of the refurb being on this flight is slim?

Its slim but who knows, all it takes is an A/C swap between now and when you travel. I remember back when they were doing the 330s I was flying in J and scored the 1-2-1 layout (back when there was less than half the fleet done, would've been the second time flying and I was excited) but then the A/C had a technical issue and was subbed back to a 2-2-2 fitout. It is purely luck of the draw. Hopefully you get a Christmas present from QF though!

 

[DavidW]

Hi All,

Newbie here so apologise if in the wrong thread

Qantas Gold Status and travelling with Family end Dec, just noticed I have been bumped from Economy Upstairs Section and Split over random Seats Downstairs ( Assuming due to Refurb Plane Swap) ... Even lost my extra leg room seats that were payed for

Qantas customer service offered a refund of the extra leg room and give me 4 seats down the back of the plane ( row 80+)

Feeling pretty hard done by, what is the best way to escalate this or alternatively do I just have to accept and move on...

Love your thoughts or feedback from others that have been impacted

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Hi All,

Newbie here so apologise if in the wrong thread / Love your thoughts or feedback from others that have been impacted

Welcome!

Tough situation but I don't think there is anything that can be done. The top Y section is/was great and the new refurb certainly goes backwards in terms of economy being removed from the top deck.

All you could try is getting exit row for no cost/extra legroom fee or at least some seats you prefer? What date/flight are you on?

 

[OATEK]

Hi All,

Newbie here so apologise if in the wrong thread

Qantas Gold Status and travelling with Family end Dec, just noticed I have been bumped from Economy Upstairs Section and Split over random Seats Downstairs ( Assuming due to Refurb Plane Swap) ... Even lost my extra leg room seats that were payed for

Qantas customer service offered a refund of the extra leg room and give me 4 seats down the back of the plane ( row 80+)

Feeling pretty hard done by, what is the best way to escalate this or alternatively do I just have to accept and move on...

Love your thoughts or feedback from others that have been impacted

The refurb is a double-edged sword for Y (Economy) fliers. Not only do you lose access to the upstairs mini-cabin, but there are fewer Y seats on the aircraft. Given that many fliers (Silver & above) could have chosen seats downstairs, then you options narrow further.

 

[Lifetime Bronze]

Has anyone experienced how often the bar area is used on the refurbed a380’s ?
Wanting to know noise levels.

Just flew VH-OQK back from LAX (QF12). As it was a night flight, there weren't many people going up there, of the ones that did it was mainly individuals rather than couples or groups, so not noisy at all. The curtain between the mini cabin and bar area did a good job of blocking out light and noise.

A few interesting things I observed on the refurbished aircraft was that the moving map and 'time until arrival' countdown weren't showing/operating, as well as no access to the aircraft exterior cameras; minor little things, I know. Also, the remote for the screen in the bar/lounge area has been moved inside one of the cupboards, unlike on the unrefurbished aircraft where its beside the red couch. Was not allowed to play 'Who wants to be a millionaire' on the big screen (Woe is me).

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Just flew VH-OQK back from LAX (QF12)

Feedback on seating? What class did you fly? Any comparison between the non-refurb 380s?

The time remaining feature also hasn't worked on my last two QFi flights (747 and 330) wonder what the go is?

 

[DavidW]

Welcome!

Tough situation but I don't think there is anything that can be done. The top Y section is/was great and the new refurb certainly goes backwards in terms of economy being removed from the top deck.

All you could try is getting exit row for no cost/extra legroom fee or at least some seats you prefer? What date/flight are you on?

We are flying 31/12

 

[Kendall Roy]

VH-OQH enroute back to Sydney as QF6016. Seemingly direct with 18hr 15m flight time

VH-OQH Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track VH-OQH flight from Melbourne Tullamarine to Los Angeles Intl

flightaware.com

Currently returning to LAX as QFA18 after around an hour in the air heading towards SYD.

 

[ms1]

Currently returning to LAX as QFA18 after around an hour in the air heading towards SYD.

Does anyone know what happened?
I have a feeling this will impact QF17 today which I’m flying on.

 

[NSun]

Does anyone know what happened?
I have a feeling this will impact QF17 today which I’m flying on.

I don't know why it turned back but I see QF17 today is now scheduled to leave at 12pm Monday.

 

[Lifetime Bronze]

Feedback on seating? What class did you fly? Any comparison between the non-refurb 380s?

Flew J 'true window seat' and bulkhead, found the seat to be quite comfortable as expected and felt much more spacious than on the A330's and B789's; with reference to the width of the side table, as well as the storage cupboard beside the window making it feel like you weren't squashed right up against the side of the aircraft.

Another good thing about the bulkhead seats was that the foot cubby was quite large in comparison to the other seats and the width to exit the seat between the side table and bulkhead was noticeably greater than other standard seats and also bulkhead seats on A330's and B789's. One downside to the bulkhead seats (at least the window ones) though is that the footrest is quite a distance forward and angled greater than usually found on other seats, so your feet will be flat on the floor until you recline and are able to reach. Unlike on the A330's and B789's, the bulkhead seats on the refurbished A388's do not feature a little storage box underneath the tv screen. Also, the take off and landing recline function is not yet allowed, the button works though you will be asked to put your seat in the upright position.

In comparison to the non-refurb A388's, the new config certainly brings a much needed update in terms of seat quality and functionality. With reference to the only other difference, being the bar area, it now feels more inviting and user friendly thanks in part to the inclusion of two tables on the right hand side and how well lit the area is. Note that the positioning of the lighting, as well as the thick curtains separating the area from the mini cabin makes the bar not nearly as annoying (especially when trying to sleep) as it felt in row 11 on the non-refurb A388's.

Haven't flown PE on either A388 layout, so not sure the overall difference but imagine it feels much less private now than it did previously thanks to the increase in seats.
Flying F soon so curious to sample the changes (although minor), hopefully will get a refurbished aircraft again!