Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[milehighclub]

My bad my bad - I meant L

 

[lsmi4126]

VH-OQL returned to SYD from AUH overnight. Will be interesting to see when she goes in for upgrade.

 

[cah23]

My Qantas business class flight was switched from a refurbished A380 (had been like this for several months - booked in Feb) to a model that hasn't been refurbished (can't confirm which one, only noticed when I checked and saw the 2-2-2 config). The flight is not until late October 2023. Is this a potential error and will it be changed back? My understanding was the A380s would be refurbished before being placed back into service?

 

[Berlin]

My understanding was the A380s would be refurbished before being placed back into service?

That's what I had thought as well- weird!

 

[OATEK]

Was it one or two A380s that returned without being upgraded. Upthread it was mentioned that OQL was yet to be done.

 

[hachoo]

One of the unrefurbished A380 runs some days on the SYD - HKG route.

 

[cah23]

Well in October it’s on LAX-SYD for at least one day. This is my first points redemption for international business class so this change in metal is a deeply disappointing.

 

[Fergo747]

Well in October it’s on LAX-SYD for at least one day. This is my first points redemption for international business class so this change in metal is a deeply disappointing.

October is still a while away. A lot can change between now and then

 

[mviy]

I found the old J pretty good. There are advantages and disadvantages with the newer seats.

 

[SYD]

October is still a while away. A lot can change between now and then

I had a QF11 A380 subbed for a B787 a few weeks out from flying back in late March.

 

[kpro]

Do these non-refurbed A380's have the new IFE interface and same content as the other interational aircraft (787's, A330's and refurbed A380's)?

IE this one -

 

[downtheback]

Do these non-refurbed A380's have the new IFE interface and same content as the other interational aircraft (787's, A330's and refurbed A380's)?

IE this one -
View attachment 332536

AFAIK, the unrefurbd A380s still have the old interface.

 

[cah23]

I had a QF11 A380 subbed for a B787 a few weeks out from flying back in late March.

My flight is QF12. Is it normal to have multiple equipment changes? Sorry if that derails the thread. So far its been A380 (refurb) to A380 (non-refurb). Would be very happy if that changed to the 787!

 

[jpp42]

My flight is QF12. Is it normal to have multiple equipment changes? Sorry if that derails the thread. So far its been A380 (refurb) to A380 (non-refurb). Would be very happy if that changed to the 787!

Qantas has been juggling their fleet a lot in the past year due to late delivery of several B787's, which have had knock-on effects while they try to expand/resume their route network at the same time. For example the non-refurb A380 perhaps wasn't ever supposed to go back into service but has used instead on the HKG and other routes, domestic configuration A330's have been seen on International routes at times, etc etc. So I wouldn't rule anything out in terms of future changes, and certainly LAX routes they do change around a lot due to varying demand and the fact that they have a few options there.

 

[Lynda2475]

I have QF12 in Aug and its definitely the refurbished A380 - i'll be annoyed if it changes; as would have otherwise taken QF8 as the Dreamliner has no old seats.

 

[kpro]

AFAIK, the unrefurbd A380s still have the old interface.

Must be the only planes flying with it. I believe even all the 737's with seatback IFE have been updated at this point. Hopefully they still get all the content.

 

[Melburnian1]

Qantas has been juggling their fleet a lot in the past year due to late delivery of several B787's, which have had knock-on effects while they try to expand/resume their route network at the same time. For example the non-refurb A380 perhaps wasn't ever supposed to go back into service but has used instead on the HKG and other routes, domestic configuration A330's have been seen on International routes at times, etc etc. So I wouldn't rule anything out in terms of future changes, and certainly LAX routes they do change around a lot due to varying demand and the fact that they have a few options there.

For the next week, all QF127?QF128 flights SYD-HKG and return appear to be A333s. It isn't school holidays, so in theory a lower demand period, but A388s (especially,l as mentioned, VH-OQL) have been the aircraft on many occasions since QAN resumed the route.

 

[Cadboy]

I am booked on a J award that was switched to old config A380 and have a couple of questions.

1. As a lowly Bronze will i be able to select a seat in the F cabin if there are any unallocated at the T-80 mark?

2. Assuming the above is possible am I likely to loose my "F" seat in the event a WP requests a seat in the F cabin at checkin?

3. I assume the bedding on these flights is the same as normal F (to match seat size) even though it is being operated as J? Or am incorrect in this assumption.

Cheers.

 

[JohnM]

I am booked on a J award that was switched to old config A380 and have a couple of questions.

1. As a lowly Bronze will i be able to select a seat in the F cabin if there are any unallocated at the T-80 mark?

2. Assuming the above is possible am I likely to loose my "F" seat in the event a WP requests a seat in the F cabin at checkin?

3. I assume the bedding on these flights is the same as normal F (to match seat size) even though it is being operated as J? Or am incorrect in this assumption.

Cheers.

I suspect that you might be thinking about the 'old' and 'new' B747 configs, not the A380 configs. The QF B747s are long gone forever.

Edit. Aaahh... - am I right in thinking that some A380s are flown without full-service F, hence pax being on a J fare but sitting in the F seats? I've only ever done QF A380 flights in full F or straight J.

 

[RichardMEL]

I am booked on a J award that was switched to old config A380 and have a couple of questions.

1. As a lowly Bronze will i be able to select a seat in the F cabin if there are any unallocated at the T-80 mark?

Yes, but remember Platinum/P1/CL can assign these seats prior to this. your chances are.... slim at best.

2. Assuming the above is possible am I likely to loose my "F" seat in the event a WP requests a seat in the F cabin at checkin?

No I would not think it likely.. If it's assigned to you then they would sit in regular J and even if they asked should be told nothing's available. This is definitely a first come, first served situation imo*

(* of course, we have all heard stories of seat swaps being done for CL and seemingly entitled VIP's, but I've not seen this myself, and as a P1 never asked for or expected any kind of thing like this). So never say never, but I would not be worrying that some higher tier member would come along and usurp me in this situation.