Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[mviy]

they are only planning to fly half their 380 fleet is the question?

Even after international flying resumes it’ll be some time before they need even 6 x A380s let alone 12.

QF needs to conserve cash at the moment. QF’s Directors have a duty to their shareholders to try to avoid the company going insolvent.

If they plan to refurbish the remaining planes they should have plenty of time to do it without needing to have non-refurbished commercial services.

 

[cove]

I was thinking that they could treat the other 6 A380s as parts to keep the refurbed 6 flying.

 

[OATEK]

Even after international flying resumes it’ll be some time before they need even 6 x A380s let alone 12.

QF needs to conserve cash at the moment. QF’s Directors have a duty to their shareholders to try to avoid the company going insolvent.

If they plan to refurbish the remaining planes they should have plenty of time to do it without needing to have non-refurbished commercial services.

I am of a similar view, that the A380s will not figure in the initial resumption, and that it could be that we will never see all 12 back in action. After their brief success re-routing QF1/2 through Perth with 787s, I expect that QF1/2 when it returns is likely to continue with 787s even if via SIN or even DRW.

 

[p--and--t]

I am of a similar view, that the A380s will not figure in the initial resumption, and that it could be that we will never see all 12 back in action. After their brief success re-routing QF1/2 through Perth with 787s, I expect that QF1/2 when it returns is likely to continue with 787s even if via SIN or even DRW.

Although I have no idea whether it is sustainable economically, I thought the rerouting via DWN to LHR was a smart move by QF. It may have also sent a message to PER management there are alternatives to their inflexibility.

 

[moa999]

As a pure touch'n'go DRW is almost perfectly on the Great Circle Route for SYD-LHR, and 500mi shorter than via PER.
Still better for MEL-LHR as well

Did anyone track how long the aircraft was on the ground in DRW. I assume there is some minimum time to cool brakes etc.

 

[mviy]

I was thinking that they could treat the other 6 A380s as parts to keep the refurbed 6 flying.

They would have to store the planes somewhere or fly them to the Californian desert, strip them and fly the parts to LAX or SYD. Certainly they will have things to consider.

I hope they get enough demand to fly all 12 again but that seems doubtful, certainly outside peak times.

I expect that QF1/2 when it returns is likely to continue with 787s even if via SIN or even DRW.

Glad I flew F on QF9 when I did. Would like to fly QF F again sometime.

 

[jb747]

As a pure touch'n'go DRW is almost perfectly on the Great Circle Route for SYD-LHR, and 500mi shorter than via PER.
Still better for MEL-LHR as well

Did anyone track how long the aircraft was on the ground in DRW. I assume there is some minimum time to cool brakes etc.

There is, but Darwin is a very long runway, and you'd be landing there at about 365 tonnes, so pretty light. A 60-90 minute turnaround would not be brake cooling limited.

 

[OATEK]

There is, but Darwin is a very long runway, and you'd be landing there at about 365 tonnes, so pretty light. A 60-90 minute turnaround would not be brake cooling limited.

So a "standard" refuelling stop?

 

[Kendall Roy]

So given all the doom and gloom around the big fella, is it too soon to start speculating which museum Nancy OQA will end up at?

 

[flychrisfly]

The SYD-LAX A380 service was one of the last services to end pre-COVID, if memory serves, so there may be an option to utilise the 380s again but it will depend on schedules and what other north american services are running (as well as demand!) I guess running a couple of 380s means there is no need to run a few 787s and vv. Someone will run the numbers and work out the best option for QF. Hoping they keep First class available for the near term

 

[DavidFlynn]

Just updating: Qantas has pumped the brakes on its A380 upgrade program, drawing the line at six refurb’d birds, and is considering retiring some superjumbos rather than bringing all 12 back into the air.

Here’s what Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told me during this morning’s media briefing: “There is potential to bring all 12 back (into service), but there is a potential to bring less than 12 back. That will depend on what the recovery scenario looks like.”

The Qantas A380, and first class, returns to Sydney-Los Angeles

The superjumbo and its first class suites make a welcome comeback on the popular route.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[Kendall Roy]

So 6x A380s
- SYD/LAX
- SYD/SIN/LHR

Where else?

How is DFW traveling?

 

[milehighclub]

So 6x A380s
- SYD/LAX
- SYD/SIN/LAX

Where else?

You just summed it up as that takes 5 frames. Maybe HKG when all 6 are in rotation.

 

[Daver6]

QF still needs something with four engines to make SYD <-> JNB work as I understand it.

 

[DavidFlynn]

QF still needs something with four engines to make SYD <-> JNB work as I understand it.

At IATA 2019, Alan Joyce said that a Boeing 787 could also handle SYD-JNB (Qantas paves the way for Boeing 787 flights to Johannesburg, Santiago).

 

[milehighclub]

QF still needs something with four engines to make SYD <-> JNB work as I understand it.

They also just did a MEL-JNB repatriation in the last week on the 787.

 

[jb747]

My understanding is that CASA still have not approved ETOPS beyond 180 minutes. As Boeing were very much involved in self certifying for that originally, and not the FAA, I’d expect that it’s being given a lot of scrutiny. Beyond that though, and ignoring Covid for the moment, if you’re going to send 787s everywhere, you might need a couple more.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Beyond that though, and ignoring Covid for the moment, if you’re going to send 787s everywhere, you might need a couple more.

I think there’s, what, three more to come this year? Not known if those will be pushed back but there’s be an argument that these modern and more efficient jets would be a good fit for the ‘right-sized’ Qantas. But even at a 1:1 swap for the remaining 747s, would those be sufficient Dreamliners or would a third tranche be needed..?

 

[p--and--t]

I think there’s, what, three more to come this year? Not known if those will be pushed back but there’s be an argument that these modern and more efficient jets would be a good fit for the ‘right-sized’ Qantas. But even at a 1:1 swap for the remaining 747s, would those be sufficient Dreamliners or would a third tranche be needed..?

Additional frames probably not required if passenger volumes are as forecast .i.e. <50% of 2019. If return trip frequency is cut to 3-4 times a week surely the existing frames & deliveries will cover more destinations than previously?

 

[moa999]

think there’s, what, three more to come this year? Not known if those will be pushed back

The first of the three was listed as Parts Arriving on the crowd spreadsheet that tracks these things. So that would normally be 6wks to delivery.

But Everett is currently closed and it's been suggested that production rates will drop substantially, so it might be some time before all three arrive, even without Qantas deferring.