Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[Sprucegoose]

Any idea if they are bringing forward the refurbishment schedule given they may be able do so now?

 

[jb747]

How many cabin crew would be on one of these flights to Dresden?

Probably two.

 

[moa999]

Any idea if they are bringing forward the refurbishment schedule given they may be able do so now?

All depends on if/how quickly international travel rebounds.
Think there is a real risk that some of the A380 fleet is parked for a few years.

 

[KSC]

My armchair opinion is that with the lack of cash flow the program won’t be accelerated. Also with the trends looking like flight demand will be lower, they will most likely use the 787 and A330 more often.

They probably have more than enough refurbished a380s right now to meet demand when things pickup again.

For anymore emergency flights the a380 refurb status would not matter.

They will probably move the program to the minimum commitment with their contractors.

 

[oz_mark]

Any idea if they are bringing forward the refurbishment schedule given they may be able do so now?

I've heard whispers of it being put on hold

 

[straitman]

I will be very surprised if we see the A380 in Qantas service ever again.

 

[Melburnian1]

I will be very surprised if we see the A380 in Qantas service ever again.

Bill, fair enough, and many would agree.

But let's say international travel resumes in late 2020/early 2021 to a small number of destinations beyond NZ, and by the end of 2021 has become much more of a route network.

Even with somewhat pared down schedules due to lower demand - routes like BNE-SFO not operating - would QFi have sufficient A333s/B789s/and some A332s to operate such a network? Or put another way, what percentage in lower ASKs overall would need to be the case for QFi to not use A388s, assuming that the company still was operating to LHR, LAX, HKG and perhaps DFW?

 

[calmelb]

Also, what will happen to the first lounges if the A380s stop service being they are the only planes with First class

 

[Daver6]

Also, what will happen to the first lounges if the A380s stop service being they are the only planes with First class

Will be used for WPs and those flying first on the A350. Also used by those flying F on other OW airlines.

 

[p--and--t]

Will be used for WPs and those flying first on the A350. Also used by those flying F on other OW airlines.

*If they ever re-open

 

[calmelb]

Will be used for WPs and those flying first on the A350. Also used by those flying F on other OW airlines.

Presuming Project Sunrise will have F, after all this the demand might not be there

*If they ever re-open

This is the part I'm afraid of, no A380s and the lounges might not reopen

 

[straitman]

Bill, fair enough, and many would agree.

But let's say international travel resumes in late 2020/early 2021 to a small number of destinations beyond NZ, and by the end of 2021 has become much more of a route network.

Even with somewhat pared down schedules due to lower demand - routes like BNE-SFO not operating - would QFi have sufficient A333s/B789s/and some A332s to operate such a network? Or put another way, what percentage in lower ASKs overall would need to be the case for QFi to not use A388s, assuming that the company still was operating to LHR, LAX, HKG and perhaps DFW?

I believe that when things open up it will be a slow process so the 330s, 789s would suffice initially. There is a probability that there will be plenty of a/c littering the world from airlines that have gone bust and the manufacturers will have a bunch of new ones sitting around.

OT but another question that needs discussing somewhere is will Airbus and/or Boeing survive the current situation?

 

[samh004]

I believe that when things open up it will be a slow process so the 330s, 789s would suffice initially. There is a probability that there will be plenty of a/c littering the world from airlines that have gone bust and the manufacturers will have a bunch of new ones sitting around.

I would think not only will there be almost new B789's/A350 models going (relatively) cheap from carriers that have gone bust, but on the off chance that travel somehow picks back up, with the number of carriers that are on reduced operations or have gone bust, the carriers that can move quick to fill the gaps will make some good money. I'm not saying this will necessarily be Qantas, but whoever they are will do well I expect and put them in a really great position... provided demand takes off in some shape. If it doesn't at all, then no one wins.

Having travelled onboard the old and new config on my last international trip in March I can say the upgrade would make me want to spend my points/money more to fly premium in the future. Skybeds never did that for me. YMMV.

 

[Daver6]

Presuming Project Sunrise will have F, after all this the demand might not be there


This is the part I'm afraid of, no A380s and the lounges might not reopen

QF have always stated sunrise jets will have F. I realise we're in different times now, but there has been no indication that this has changed.

Even without F, I think they'd still operate the F lounge for a couple of reasons. International J lounges are already over-flowing. So they would need even more space of WPs moved to the J lounge. Secondly, QF would lose revenue from pax on other carriers making use of the F lounge.

 

[p--and--t]

International J lounges are already were over-flowing.

I just fixed that for you.

 

[samh004]

Secondly, QF would lose revenue from pax on other carriers making use of the F lounge.

Someone once told me the fees oneworld charges per entry to J/F lounges and I would certainly have to agree that they would certainly appear to make money from F lounges.

 

[oz_mark]

I will be very surprised if we see the A380 in Qantas service ever again.

Even if you thought they might, I don't see Qantas have much to gain by proceeding with the refurb at this point. Hanging on to the money would seem a better option.

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

I would think not only will there be almost new B789's/A350 models going (relatively) cheap from carriers that have gone bust, but on the off chance that travel somehow picks back up, with the number of carriers that are on reduced operations or have gone bust, the carriers that can move quick to fill the gaps will make some good money.

I would think that there could be a market for airlines filling gaps left by others. Over the coming (long/short?) period, punters are likely to want direct flights to fly over risky areas. Long-haul flyers like QF would have an advantage there, providing they have the planes available.

 

[OATEK]

I expect that the premium market is likely to recover at a very different rate to the general economy market. Not that this means anything as regards the A380, as the economics of flying in a fractured recovering market are likely to favour the smaller aircraft.

 

[samh004]

I suspect another part of the puzzle will be what has already been paid for/delivered. For instance, what if enough new seats for J/PY had already been paid for/delivered – probably not going to get your money back on them, so it might be better to install them in an aircraft before shelving the refurbishment program.

Also, were the 'D' checks happening at the same time/just before? If so then if you plan to continue flying the aircraft these will need to be done regardless, and it may make sense to refurbish any that go through this process, as that's going to require stripping out a lot of the components you need to remove to do the refurbishment anyway.