Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

QFs 787 has an inch more pitch than the A380 and with a newer model seat I think there's actually more usable space than that. The 787 width issue is very real and not an exclusively QF thing. Without a neighbour the 787 Y seat is quite comfortable, but when adults can't sit upright next to each other in the allotted space (irrespective of the "seat width") you know it is a design fail. With a mix of smaller adults and kids on a flight it is going to be the case that many people won't notice the issue, but as soon as you have broad shoulders sitting next to each other it is a bad experience.
Exactly my problem with Y in the 787. I am 6'3 (in the old currency) and my wife and I found it exceedingly uncomfortable in a 7 hour flight with Air New Zealand in 2014. She was in the middle seat with a FIFO miner of the same height as me on her other side so was absolutely squashed. I had to try to lean out into the aisle all the time to give her some room. That of course was a nuisance to anyone trying to use the aisle and to me by getting knocked all the time. We have never flown Y in a 787 since.
 
I've flown to Japan and Thailand (both ~10hrs from MEL) in economy on Jetstar's 787-8 with its 17" (43.2cm) seat width and 30" (76.2cm) pitch, no problems and I'm >6' (>183cm) too, with a little bit of baggage on me.

I've also flown on Scoot's 787 product which is very similar to Jetstar's - same thing, no problems or complaints either.

I'd imagine with the QF 787s with its slightly wider seats (17.2" / 43.7cm) and slightly longer pitch (32" / 81.3cm), this shouldn't be too much of an issue either?

I know it's budget vs non-budget, but I could hazard to say that the majority of members here have flown in (or perhaps are too used to) business class and therefore maybe have unrealistic / skewed expectations of economy?

I understand that everyone wants a nicer seat - this is a given, but it is economy and the expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

It's been a while since I travelled on a QF A380, but with the same pitch and slightly wider seat (by half an inch / 1.3cm) compared to the 787s, the only real difference should be the slight bit more horizontal space.

One of the issues I have is, how often is economy really 100% full? That is the only time the airline is making money of their horrendously narrow seats.

If 90% of the time there’s at least one empty seat per row - can we not just remove it and spread ’em all out a smidge.

JAL only offers an extra inch per seat, but is so much more comfortable simply because the people beside you also have an extra inch to avoid your space.
 
Exactly my problem with Y in the 787. I am 6'3 (in the old currency) and my wife and I found it exceedingly uncomfortable in a 7 hour flight with Air New Zealand in 2014. She was in the middle seat with a FIFO miner of the same height as me on her other side so was absolutely squashed. I had to try to lean out into the aisle all the time to give her some room. That of course was a nuisance to anyone trying to use the aisle and to me by getting knocked all the time. We have never flown Y in a 787 since.
There is a reason that Boeing designed the 787 with 8 seats across... unfortunately the airlines never read the memo from Boeing about that and instead came up with the 9 seats across idea that is absolutely bollocks bloody horrible - and from reading the posts here people avoid the 787 because of it.
 
There is a reason that Boeing designed the 787 with 8 seats across... unfortunately the airlines never read the memo from Boeing about that and instead came up with the 9 seats across idea that is absolutely bollocks bloody horrible - and from reading the posts here people avoid the 787 because of it.
I thought people avoid the 787 because there's no F 😂
 
Going a little off topic in the 380 thread with the 787 Y seat discussion.

I actually think the mods should start a new thread with a first post that acts like a updated community post about QF Y seats in all the configurations. It's always a mess trying to find which aircraft, which Y seats, pitfalls to avoid etc.
 
Can anyone confirm if all flying A-380s are refurbed?

My understanding is they are as the last one is currently in AUH being done.

Deciding who to book with for SYD-LAX J and this would be a deal breaker (given I can see some history of 2-2-2 J class on this route in Nov-Dec)
 
Can anyone confirm if all flying A-380s are refurbed?

My understanding is they are as the last one is currently in AUH being done.

Deciding who to book with for SYD-LAX J and this would be a deal breaker (given I can see some history of 2-2-2 J class on this route in Nov-Dec)
Yes, the last unrefurbished, VH-OQL, is in AUH being upgraded to new seats.
 
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One needs to come back soon. Currently 4 A380s in AUH leaving only 6 active.
OQA - Since 18 Nov 2023 awaiting return to service
OQC - Since June 2021 awaiting return to service
OQK - Since 24 Feb 2024 possible gear change
OQL - Since 13 Mar 2024 likely cabin refit
 

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