Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[kamchatsky]

I just booked 4*J awards on QF127 SYD-HKG on 26/12. After checking Expertflyer, I was surprised that it is in the new A380 configuration. I thought this route is serviced by the old bird.

 

[Larko1]

I just booked 4*J awards on QF127 SYD-HKG on 26/12. After checking Expertflyer, I was surprised that it is in the new A380 configuration. I thought this route is serviced by the old bird.

I'm on the 127 on 24/12 in biz with old config atm, returning on the 128 on 28/12 with new biz config atm.

 

[elanshin]

Looks like OQK is back flying, QF11 today to LAX. Took off late, I wonder if it subbed in for another a380.

 

[SYD]

Looks like OQK is back flying, QF11 today to LAX. Took off late, I wonder if it subbed in for another a380.

Thunderstorms have been rolling through all day. So should be no surprise that some/most flights are disrupted.

 

[Larko1]

I'm on the 127 on 24/12 in biz with old config atm, returning on the 128 on 28/12 with new biz config atm.

Great flight on 127 in OQL, seat 1A. Just nabbed 1A again back. Still showing as new config for 128.

 

[mrflyby]

Interesting. OQC seems to have finally started its refurb. It's been active a few times in the past month. Assuming that Etihad has got more space now they have their 380s in the air again.

What's intriguing though is that the ADSB responders for both OQE and OQF have been active numerous times in Victorville over the past month. While they were being parted out. Assuming that it's only parts taken for the other active fleet. Could QF have changed their mind and decided to also bring them back as well. Replace the parts taken with new ones etc?

With the industry backlog of planes for the next number years, they might see that it's wise to have more capacity than they initially expected they needed.

 

[yachty]

Could QF have changed their mind and decided to also bring them back as well. Replace the parts taken with new ones etc?

Almost nil chance of this, the photos out of Victorville last year showed the part out was already quite far along. I presume the aircraft were sold to someone to scrap as well, unless QF are doing it themselves, so probably not a simple "whoops, we've changed our mind".

 

[KSC]

Welcome to 2024 and we are still asking ‘are we there yet’ with this a380 refurbs. Who would have imagined all the delays pre 2020.

 

[moa999]

OQC seems to have finally started its refurb. It's been active a few times in the past month.

Where are you seeing activity?

 

[mrflyby]

Where are you seeing activity?

Flightradar24 for all those 3 frames.

OQE and OQF are much more active though for some reason. Maybe just powering them up to check the parts they're taking are working fine or something like that.
If QF had completely scrapped them or sold them, their ADSB logger shouldn't be listed as owned by QF still too is another thought.

 

[RSVKanga]

When will VH-OQA, OQB and OQC return to service?

 

[cpatters]

OQB is already in service. Its OQA & OQC which are still yet to re-enter service. OQL also needs to go in for a refurb at somestage also.

 

[elanshin]

Just musing, but once oqa and oqc (and oql refurb) are all done, does QF have room to add more a380 routes?

I know JNB is being converted to a380 route.

Wondering if they would revisit the plan to put HND on a380 now that they can do daytime turn around.

 

[moa999]

JNB commences in July which given distances probably uses 1.5 frames.

So possibly opens up another route when the 3rd aircraft comes back.

Don't believe any airline flies the A380 to Haneda. While I think it's technically possible, the taxiway restrictions reportedly make it difficult.

 

[sudoer]

Wondering if they would revisit the plan to put HND on a380 now that they can do daytime turn around.

The problem is HND's own policy allows for only one A380 to be on the ground at any time. Joyce was on the record as saying they were trying to negotiate a change to this, but ultimately the decision was up to Haneda Airport.

 

[elanshin]

The problem is HND's own policy allows for only one A380 to be on the ground at any time. Joyce was on the record as saying they were trying to negotiate a change to this, but ultimately the decision was up to Haneda Airport.

Yes, that was when QF was flying a plane in, parking it all day then turning it around at night. They're currently flying one in and turning it around in a couple of hours back to SYD.

 

[sudoer]

Yes, that was when QF was flying a plane in, parking it all day then turning it around at night. They're currently flying one in and turning it around in a couple of hours back to SYD.

Yes, they can do this because they're running double-daily.

Are you suggesting they would run A380s double-daily? Surely this would be way too much capacity given NH are also double-daily 787, JL single, JQ is launching KIX direct soon, plus all the one-stop competition via MEL/BNE/CNS etc.

 

[elanshin]

Yes, they can do this because they're running double-daily.

Are you suggesting they would run A380s double-daily? Surely this would be way too much capacity given NH are also double-daily, JL single, JQ is launching KIX direct, etc.

Well it would be to fly a380 from SYD once daily (one flight overnight QF25, one flight daytime back QF26), then run a MEL <> HND separately on 330 once daily. And if they can argue and win the 3rd AU slot from VA over, run BNE <> HND as well and take all their operations over to HND. (the agreement for the HND slots in 2019 are up for renewal later this year).

 

[Himeno]

JNB commences in July which given distances probably uses 1.5 frames.

So possibly opens up another route when the 3rd aircraft comes back.

Don't believe any airline flies the A380 to Haneda. While I think it's technically possible, the taxiway restrictions reportedly make it difficult.

Some airlines (such as EK) have run special A380 services to HND, but nothing regular.

As mentioned, due to the size of the A380 and related taxiway restrictions, the airport limits one A380 being at the airport at a time (even though there are 3 gates at T3 with a 3rd air bridge to enable duel level boarding). There's also the domestic congestion to consider with the airport preferring any A380s to be there during the domestic peak times.

I'm not sure they could make an A380 work at HND with the current QF25/26 timings. At least not with the reduced early morning ground transport options to get people to the airport in time.

 

[OATEK]

When will VH-OQA, OQB and OQC return to service?

Flew on OQB last week.