Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[moa999]

Was meant to be by end 2020

 

[Lynda2475]

Curious, with the switch to dreamliner style PE seats, does this mean that the arm rest between seats will now be able to be raised?

I flew PE on non-refurbished A380 in the last week, and because the IFE is in one armrest and the tray table in the other, there was no ablity to take advantage of empty seats to stretch out, as arm rest between seats couldnt be raised (i was almost tempted to go to Y to steal a rown of 4 to sleep).

I recall from the 2 times I flew PE on Dreamliner MEL-SYD (when they were trainining the pilots ahead of launching the PER-LHR route) that the TV is in the seat back, if the tray table is on the outer arm rest, then I wonder if the arm rest can be raised after the refurb?

 

[serfty]

Curious, with the switch to dreamliner style PE seats, does this mean that the arm rest between seats will now be able to be raised?

No - the armrests of Qantas PE seats cannot be raised. 388 & 789.

 

[jpp42]

Curious, with the switch to dreamliner style PE seats, does this mean that the arm rest between seats will now be able to be raised?

I recall from the 2 times I flew PE on Dreamliner MEL-SYD (whent hey were trainining the pilots ahead of launching the PER-LHR route) that the TV is in the seat back, if the tray table is on the outer arm rest, then I wonder if the arm rest can be raised after the refurb?

No, the tray tables are on the inner arm rests, not the outer ones, and the arm rests with no tray tables are also fixed (except for some along the aisle that can be lowered for handicapped access, but this is of no benefit for sleeping). There are some photos on review sites that show this arrangement, such as The ultimate test for Qantas's 787 Premium Economy - Airline Ratings or Review: Qantas (787-9) Premium Economy Seat, SYD to MEL .

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks for the feedback, the Dreamliner link reminded me that the worst thing about the newer PE seats is the horrible seat belt with the inbuilt airbag which means the tray table doesnt sit flush unless you undo the sea belt. The older A380 PE seats just ahve a regular seat belt, which also seems to be more generous larger.

I mostly enjoyed my first longhaul PE experience this last week (classic reward), the first fligth was a day flight in exit row and I didnt try to sleep so all was good. Return flight was over night and being a side sleeper I found it just as hard to sleep as if Id been in Y - the sorage bins mean you cant lean against the windows, and the unmoveable arm rest means you cant stretch out into an empty seat.

All my upcomming long haul lights are all in J (classic reward) so I will be able to lay down, but I am wondering at the value of paid PE flight over Y, unless you are especially tall. The new seat belt design is a huge turn off.

 

[kookaburra75]

All my upcomming long haul lights are all in J (classic reward) so I will be able to lay down, but I am wondering at the value of paid PE flight over Y, unless you are especially tall. The new seat belt design is a huge turn off.

I'm the same, as I can't sleep sitting up. I go for Y Flex, and roll the dice for an upgrade to J, as it's the same amount of points to go from Flex Y to J as for Discount PE to J. And while the new PE seats look a bit flashier, it's still just a seat.
On QF1 a couple of days ago, the CSM took me for a tour of the refurb, including the new Bus Lounge upstairs, which is a lot better. He 'left' me there for a couple of hours, so I could join in the New Year's celebration, have a couple of glasses of champagne and read my book, before retreating back to 86D.
And I just noticed that QF2 on 10 Feb is a 'new' aircraft as well - Upstairs economy just disappeared from the seat maps.

 

[moa999]

Curious, with the switch to dreamliner style PE seats, does this mean that the arm rest between seats will now be able to be raised?

Not aware of any Premium Economy seat that doesn't have a fixed divider.
In general it's due to the increase pitch meaning you have to have a side mounted table.

Agree the airbag belts are a bit of a pain but they are required due to regulations due to the distance to the seat in front (same in some Y bulkhead and exit row seats on newer aircraft) - and I guess the three point harness may not easily fit into the PE shells.

 

[Lynda2475]

Agree the airbag belts are a bit of a pain but they are required due to regulations due to the distance to the seat in front (same in some Y bulkhead and exit row seats on newer aircraft) - and I guess the three point harness may not easily fit into the PE shells.

However isnt there more distance between seats on the old A380 PE seats than the newer ones on the dreamliner? To me the old A380 PE seems to have more leg room, I could be wrong though - so when did the requirement change for seat belt type?

The seat belts in old A380 PE are definately longer, then those on dreamliner PE. The main issue is that the tray table needs to have an extender to sit higher above ones lap to provide greater clearance of the airbag, otherwise tray is not flush for anyone but the thinest of passengers. Last time i flew PE on dreamliner, I had to undo my seat belt during meal service so the tray could be level which is a safety issue in itself since recommendation is to keep seat belt fastened when in seat.

 

[moa999]

However isnt there more distance between seats on the old A380 PE seats than the newer ones on the dreamliner? To me the old A380 PE seems to have more leg room, I could be wrong though - so when did the requirement change?

Think QF quotes 38" pitch for both, although less bulkhead seats in the new design and the more complicated footnet.

Looks like regulations on seats changed around 2010

Airlines begin fitting airbags

Cathay Pacific Airways and Air France have begun introducing seatbelt-mounted airbags in their economy-class cabins as authorities tighten regulations aimed at reducing the risk of fatalities in plane crashes.

www.smh.com.au

 

[NY154]

Can anyone tell me which QF PE seat has 42" pitch as advised by seat guru etc? It says 38-42". I'm assuming it's the bullhead seat? I think this was on the 380

 

[TheMoose]

Flying J on QF12 Sunday 12 Jan - can anyone tell which frame is operating this sector LAX-SYD?

 

[NSun]

If you ring the call centre they are usually able to tell you - I've asked that twice. But for ex-LAX flights a big hint is which ones come across from Sydney and Melbourne as QF11 and QF93. Its usually the former that goes back as QF12 although every now and again this swaps. If QF17/18 is operating it might do a later flight - that happened when I did QF18 a week ago, I got VH-OQA that'd come from Melbourne as QF93; rather than the A380 that'd come over as QF17.

 

[OATEK]

Flying J on QF12 Sunday 12 Jan - can anyone tell which frame is operating this sector LAX-SYD?

Looks like new fitout.

 

[RSD]

When they change airframe from a non-refurb to a refurbed A380 not only do you lose your seat allocation on that flight but all of the flights on the booking - even if the return leg is still on the same layout as when you selected your seat

 

[KSC]

Thank

When they change airframe from a non-refurb to a refurbed A380 not only do you lose your seat allocation on that flight but all of the flights on the booking - even if the return leg is still on the same layout as when you selected your seat

Thanks will keep an eagle eye out for my seats.
RSD did you pick seats that don’t exist on the new layout ? Also what class of travel was it on the refurb you lost seats ?

 

[RSD]

Thank

Thanks will keep an eagle eye out for my seats.
RSD did you pick seats that don’t exist on the new layout ? Also what class of travel was it on the refurb you lost seats ?

Seats I selected should be available on both old and new layouts - both ways was 61A downstairs Y (upstairs was already all gone before I booked). Not the end of the end world though, and now being on a refurbed bird means greater chance of getting a points upgrade to J or Y+ hopefully, but I don't fly out until Australia Day so anything could happen between now and then as far as changes of aircraft.

Does anyone have feedback on the Y seats in the refurbed aircraft?

 

[kookaburra75]

Seats I selected should be available on both old and new layouts - both ways was 61A downstairs Y (upstairs was already all gone before I booked). Not the end of the end world though, and now being on a refurbed bird means greater chance of getting a points upgrade to J or Y+ hopefully, but I don't fly out until Australia Day so anything could happen between now and then as far as changes of aircraft.
Does anyone have feedback on the Y seats in the refurbed aircraft?

I just went through the 'refurb' tango heading over to the UK on QF1/2 a couple of weeks' ago. As you noted earlier, when the aircraft were swapped to the refurbed aircraft, I lost my Y seat selections from the old mini-Y cabin down to the bottom - in both directions, even before I knew QF2 was a refurbed aircraft. I ended up in 86D going over and 85D coming back. I've now set a record in the office for the highest seat number. Our Sales Graduate is no longer complaining about getting 27D on a domestic flight.
I normally book FlexY and put in for upgrade to J. Over the past five years, in January I have got the upgrades in both directions and it's 50/50 for later in the year when I'm across to the UK (May & Sep). Not this time, and I didn't get notified until T-10 hours.
I didn't see any diiference in the Y seats, except that they have an extra mesh pocket below the main one in the seat back, which was handy for the water bottle and my cable bag.

 

[RSD]

I just went through the 'refurb' tango heading over to the UK on QF1/2 a couple of weeks' ago. As you noted earlier, when the aircraft were swapped to the refurbed aircraft, I lost my Y seat selections from the old mini-Y cabin down to the bottom - in both directions, even before I knew QF2 was a refurbed aircraft. I ended up in 86D going over and 85D coming back. I've now set a record in the office for the highest seat number. Our Sales Graduate is no longer complaining about getting 27D on a domestic flight.
I normally book FlexY and put in for upgrade to J. Over the past five years, in January I have got the upgrades in both directions and it's 50/50 for later in the year when I'm across to the UK (May & Sep). Not this time, and I didn't get notified until T-10 hours.
I didn't see any diiference in the Y seats, except that they have an extra mesh pocket below the main one in the seat back, which was handy for the water bottle and my cable bag.

Cheers Kookaburra - seems like if I don't get an upgrade then I'm not really disadvantaged between the old and new Y seats - just glad that they didn't try to fit the B787 hideously narrow Y seats.

 

[KSC]

I have two seats in J. I will report back if a A380 swaps to the refurb and if my seats get changed.

 

[KSC]

No swap yet (within T80), however still allot seats showing blocked. When T80 first hit there was nothing blocked now a heap of blocks. Not sure if the sudden block of seats means anything.