Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[dkc192]

Just noticed in an ET review that at least one A380 has an updated tablet/controller user interface in F. Likely to be one of the two newer birds; I was on -OQK in November and it still had the old interface, plus it hasn't been pulled from service for any substantial updates AFAIK.

Any ideas as to when -OQK might get this update? I imagine it has to be very low on QF's priority list.

See pictures ~40% down the page here: Review: Qantas Airbus A380 refreshed first class [2020].

 

[moa999]

Interesting. Definitely bigger and without the wood trim below. The moving map is a nice addition

 

[Mark1966]

Bummer

Just did my daily seat check on QF1 departing Sunday and my upstairs economy seat has been changed to 50C downstairs on a reconfigured plane

Seatguru "good" seats, 71D and 80A and 80K are not available. Not sure I want to sit next to the galley, but better than the toilet, and not sure that there are any better options.

That little upstairs economy cabin really was nice ...

 

[diningdecadence]

Was on QF8 arriving this morning. Mid slide was out of action so they cordoned off ~150 seats (about 10 rows either side of the toilets). Also some muck up with the baggage. Y screens are still fussy re touchscreen.

Interestingly they were actively offering paid upgrades $550 to Y+ and $1050 to J.

 

[HockeyMonkey]

Which airframes have been refurbished so far? I'm keen to keep an eye on whether my QF93 on Mar 1 will be using one

 

[cpatters]

VH-OQK, VH-OQJ & VH-OQH have all been refurbished

 

[HockeyMonkey]

VH-OQK, VH-OQJ & VH-OQH have all been refurbished

Many thanks. Looks like the last two Sundays have had refurbed A380 for QF93 MEL-LAX. Hopefully a pattern that continues

 

[RichardMEL]

I was on OQK the other week in F. The cabin seems much brighter with the lighter colours.

The side tablet thing was old sort and actually there was a minor fail as it never correctly showed the remaining flight time as it used to (as in the number was blank) but the IFE was fine. I didn't go up stairs though though I probably should have to have a gander, but I wanted to max on sleep.

 

[moa999]

The side tablet thing was old sort and actually there was a minor fail

Yep. OQK was the first done and didn't get the tablets replaced.

One or both of OQJ and OQH have the new tablets as noted by dkc192 in post #682

 

[KSC]

Yep. OQK was the first done and didn't get the tablets replaced.

One or both of OQJ and OQH have the new tablets as noted by dkc192 in post #682

Wonder why OQK didn’t get the mini tablets replaced. That is one small detail that would age a lovely refresh and not in a nice nostalgic analogue watch way.

 

[RichardMEL]

Wonder why OQK didn’t get the mini tablets replaced. That is one small detail that would age a lovely refresh and not in a nice nostalgic analogue watch way.

Hopefully they fix this little omission...

but then again if they didn't it would totally fit the unofficial company motto of Consistently Inconsistent(tm)

 

[moa999]

I'm sure it will be fixed. Probably just parts not arriving on time (they appear to be custom). You wouldn't want to delay it just because of them.

Also reports elsewhere that OQA might just be getting maintenance, not refurb at this stage. We shall see.

 

[Mark1966]

I'm sure it will be fixed. Probably just parts not arriving on time (they appear to be custom). You wouldn't want to delay it just because of them.

Also reports elsewhere that OQA might just be getting maintenance, not refurb at this stage. We shall see.

As a simple economy flying pleb losing the upstairs mini cabins I can only hope that ALL refurbs stop immediately

Not likely though

 

[jase05]

What’s the chances of getting a refurbished bird MEL-SIN in October?
Have just booked a J award flight for us both on the 3rd of October. Unfortunately no F availability that date

 

[NSun]

What’s the chances of getting a refurbished bird MEL-SIN in October?
Have just booked a J award flight for us both on the 3rd of October. Unfortunately no F availability that date

If A380s have been put back on the route - bear in mind they're being taken off for 2 months in a few weeks; then chances should be high if we assume the program is nearly complete by then. Qantas has previously said by the end of 2020.

But you'll only know for sure when you see which one is operating the previous night's QF94. It may show as refurbished a few days before but last minute swaps can happen - the one time I've had refurbished it changed 3 times in the week leading up to the flight.

 

[moa999]

What’s the chances of getting a refurbished bird MEL-SIN in October?

Depending on exactly how quick they go I'd guess 70-90%

Though note with low demand at present QF is using 332s today

 

[NSun]

Depending on exactly how quick they go I'd guess 70-90%

Though note with low demand at present QF is using 332s today

I'm on QF35 on Saturday so I rang the call centre worried about a change because the aircraft inbound from Singapore and meant to do QF93 today but instead sent up to Sydney, should have been back on the route on Wednesday then Saturday barring a swap in Los Angeles. The call centre told me this Saturday's flight was still an A380 and told me the aircraft scheduled to operate the flight which is VH-OQE.

I think today's change specifically had something to do with one of the flights out of Los Angeles being delayed overnight - although certainly right now it'd make more sense to cancel QF35/36 than either QF11 or QF93. They really only do A380s on MEL-SIN so they can offer First class from Melbourne to London which they don't on QF9/10 but if you're that desparate you could go via Sydney or could just go J on the first leg then go on first on the SIN-LHR leg.

 

[Nolan1973]

VH-OQA left Dresden for London

we now have 4 upgraded with VH-OQG probably 1 week until the completed upgrade

I’m also betting VH-OQL which is currently 5 hours away from heathrow as QF1 will head to Dresden for its upgrade

I’m booked on QF1 late April and fingers crossed I’m on a upgrade bird 50% change now if 2 are in for upgrades

 

[moa999]

OQA was only there for 3 weeks <since 14/2> - not enough time for refurb - maintenance only (as the seatmap for QF2 confirms).

Believe it will swap with OQD which operated the prior QF1 inbound, also believed to be maintenance only.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

VH-OQA left Dresden for London

Refurbs take approximately 9 weeks. OQA was only at Dresden for 3 weeks.