Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[defurax]

To update this thread, now that OQB has been refurbed, and we know that OQE and OQF are in partout.

Seven refurbs of which five are flying today
OQB, OQD, OQG, OQH, OQI, OQJ, OQK
OQI - inactive and still at Victorville
OQG - presently at AUH for (minor) maintenance

Three remaining to be returned to service.
OQC - At AUH since mid-2021, possibly getting refurb and other maintenance.
OQA, OQL - remain at Victorville.

And photographed beginning partout in Victorville
OQE, OQF

OQA has just left VCV for LAX

 

[defurax]

VH-OQL is leaving VCV for LAX (QF6024).
So OQI only remaining QF A380 at VCV.

 

[levelnine]

VH-OQL is leaving VCV for LAX (QF6024).
So OQI only remaining QF A380 at VCV.

Which routes will these A380s be placed on? Do we already know?

 

[defurax]

MEL-LAX is the obvious one as it had already been scheduled, then cancelled.
I guess MEL-SIN and/or SYD-HKG.

 

[aus_flyer]

MEL-LAX is the obvious one as it had already been scheduled, then cancelled.
I guess MEL-SIN and/or SYD-HKG.

The A380 is returning to MEL-LAX from 30 October 2023. 3x weekly.
Would love to see it back on MEL-SIN but I'm not holding my breath!

 

[encryptededdy]

Which routes will these A380s be placed on? Do we already know?

Maybe SYD-LAX at an increased frequency so that a 787 can be freed up for SFO?

 

[NSun]

The A380 is returning to MEL-LAX from 30 October 2023. 3x weekly.
Would love to see it back on MEL-SIN but I'm not holding my breath!

I'd love to see MEL-SIN too because it was easy to upgrade on that route and the timing was so much better than QF1, I would fly down from Sydney to take it when just going to Singapore. It was my only flight in First Class (on OQL ironically) and a couple of other times got reasonable Premium Economy fares (i.e. $1.6k return).

But it would make more sense to free up 787s so SYD or MEL-LAX would make the most sense. I am hoping it comes back on SYD-DFW at some point.

 

[moa999]

Think that's unlikely given the restricted loads on DFW-SYD.

 

[Quickstatus]

SYD-DFW

The 787 is operationally a much better aircraft for that route.

 

[Lynda2475]

The 787 is operationally a much better aircraft for that route.

Once they launched MEL-DFW that confirmed we won't see A380 back on the SYD-DFW route.

 

[OATEK]

What is OQL up to?

 

[defurax]

OQG has left AUH as QF6024 for SYD and OQL is doing LAX-LHR-AUH.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Does this mean it’s out of storage and going to be refurbed?

 

[NSun]

Does this mean it’s out of storage and going to be refurbed?

VH-OQG was refurbished during 2020, it actually went to Dresden in February 2020 and was done then. You can see a couple of photos of OQG's refurbished interior on Flight Radar 24, plus OQG is listed as refurbished on Qantas' A380 seat map.

OQL hasn't been but inevitably will be prior to entering service.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Thanks, yes was asking about OQL as what else would it be doing in AUH?

 

[defurax]

VH-OQI has left VCV for LAX today as QF6023. Last of QF A380 in storage at VCV (since OQE and OQF are being cannibalised for parts).

 

[milehighclub]

OQL will eventually fly back to Sydney and be an operational spare for a few weeks before it goes in for refurb.

Updated to L not I

 

[defurax]

OQI will eventually fly back to Sydney and be an operational spare for a few weeks before it goes in for refurb.

Any idea why OQC is at AUH since June 2021?

 

[Fergo747]

OQI will eventually fly back to Sydney and be an operational spare for a few weeks before it goes in for refurb.

What refurb? I thought OQI was already one of the refurbed birds?

 

[cpatters]

OQI is showing as refurbished on the official Qantas seat maps. Only OQA, OQC & OQL are still in the old configuration (being done in AUH) according to the seat maps page.